Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital in Lakes State faces drug shortages

JUBA – The Governor of Lakes State, Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, has raised concerns about critical shortages of essential drugs and supplies at the Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital in Rumbek.

Speaking during the ongoing Governors’ Forum in Juba on Wednesday, Gen. Tueny described the dire situation at the state-owned women’s hospital, which is struggling to provide healthcare services.

“Kiir Mayardit Women Hospital faces shortages in supplies of essential drugs, fuel for running the generator which consumes one drum of diesel per day,” Tueny said.

The governor highlighted the plight of overworked medical staff who have not received incentives for several months.

“The staff have not been paid their incentives by UNICEF for five months, that is July, August, September, and November 2024,” he said.

Tueny attributed the hospital’s inadequate healthcare services to a lack of essential medicines, professional staff, and proper motivation.

“Kiir Mayardit Women Hospital that is under the National Ministry of Health is facing a lot of challenges. Its staff are not in the payroll of the Ministry of Health but paid by UNICEF who have not paid them for the last four months. The state is only helping with food items for their welfare,” he said.

Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital, a maternity hospital donated by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, was inaugurated on July 13, 2014.

The facility has since provided healthcare services to women and children in Lakes State.

However, the current drug shortages, unpaid staff, and lack of fuel have undermined its operations, leaving patients in need of urgent care without adequate support.

The Governors’ Forum, established in 2006, brings together state governors and chief administrators to discuss pressing issues and seek solutions to challenges in their regions.