There is a looming crisis at the reproductive health clinic in Mingkaman, Awerial County, after several health workers were laid off recently, its management has said.
Due to funding cut advised by the implementing organization Inter-church Medical Agency, the management downsized at least six staff today, three of whom were midwives.
This resulted in the closure of the Prevent Mother to Child department and the facility will operate without HIV counseling and testing center.
“My biggest worry is that if the women come in labor and the number of midwives have been reduced like the way it is now, it will be a problem,” said Teresa Achuei, site manager of the reproductive health clinic, adding that an average of 10 women deliver at the facility every day.
She asserted that the downsizing at the maternity ward may encourage home delivery – a practice “we have been fighting against in the last 9 years”.
Achuei called upon the county health authorities to intervene by providing alternative support to the antenatal services in the county.
The health Clinic was established in 2014 during the emergency by Jonglei state ministry of health with support from UNFPA funding.