Gov’t forms fact-finding committee on Juba Teaching Hospital ‘sex scandal’

The National Ministry of Health has formed a seven-member committee to investigate allegations of a doctor who sexually abused 9 patients at Juba Teaching Hospital.

On Friday, a whistleblower, Dr. Daniel Machuor from Community in Need Aid (CINA) organization claimed a senior doctor has been molesting young patients and making out with older women.

Dr. Taban Martin Vitaly, who previously worked as the Country Director of Real Medicine Foundation located within the country’s main hospital reportedly recorded himself in the act.

It is alleged that the suspect paid for sex, an act he allegedly confessed upon being arrested by the police. But the incident happened in 2015.

The Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Ayaa Benjamin Warile told the press on Friday that “we condemn such an act as we know this happened a long time ago, but it is never too late and we encourage people to report so can take our responsibility.”

On 29th November 2022, Dr. Victoria Anib Major, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health issued an administrative order establishing a fact-finding committee on the matter.

“The mentioned sexual scandal must be investigated properly with the aim of establishing facts and put in place measures for the prevention of such sexual scandal – if proven to have taken place,” the order reads.

The committee is instructed to speak to the whistle blower, the accused doctor, staffs at the Juba Teaching Hospital, and the department where the sex scandal reportedly occurred.

The committee is expected to submit its finding to the Ministry of Health and  share with the public within two weeks.

Members of the fact-finding committee include, Dr. Harriet Pasquali, Dr. Isaac Cleto, Dr. Anthony Lupai, Dr. Garang Dakjur, Dr. Jackline Albino, and the Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Health. It is headed by Professor Mayen Machut.