Mother Teresa Hospital in Turalei, Twic
County, Warrap State, is struggling with a severe shortage of essential
medicines, leaving hundreds of patients without access to vital treatment.
Medical
Director, Dr. Mabith Ater said the facility admits
around 300 patients every week but has run out of critical drugs, including
antimalarials, antibiotics, painkillers, uterine tonics, and anticonvulsants.
He notes that cases of malaria and pneumonia
are on the rise, forcing many patients to seek medication from private clinics.
“The last
consignment we received was in April, and it only lasted four months,” Dr. Ater
explained. “Now we have no antimalarials or painkillers. Both children and
adults with malaria or pneumonia are being referred to private clinics, yet
these are emergency cases that require proper management.”
Dr. Ater
attributes the shortage to increased demand caused by an influx of returnees
and refugees from Sudan.
Twic County
Health Director, James Garang Chuol, confirmed the
problem, saying many health facilities in the county are experiencing similar
shortages due to delayed deliveries from UNICEF.
“We are
still waiting for a consignment from UNICEF, our main supplier,” Garang said.
“This challenge is not only in Twic County but across other counties and the
country as a whole. We may have to rotate medicines from other facilities to
support Mother Teresa Hospital.”