Services at Bor hospital paralyzed as health staff go on strike

JUBA – The Jonglei State Minister of Health, Lual Monyluak, on Tuesday urged striking health workers at Bor State Hospital to call off their strike, citing the overwhelming burden on the few staff members still working.

“We urge health workers to call off the strike as we follow up on their case. The patient load at the hospital is enormous, and the work being done by the few staff members still on duty is not sufficient,” Monyluak told Sudans Post.

Health workers at Bor State Hospital began their strike on Monday, demanding unpaid incentives promised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for handling emergencies.

Monyluak explained that the contract for these medical incentives was signed between UNICEF and Yolanda Awel Deng Juach, the national Minister of Health.

He added that discussions with UNICEF are ongoing, and he is hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon.

The striking staff at the main hospital include nurses, clinical officers, and cleaners. Monyluak noted that only a few health workers are volunteering to handle emergency cases during the strike.

“Health facility staff strike one day and work the next, but those who understand the rules and regulations continue working. Health workers are humanitarians,” he said.