The national minister of health arrived in Aweil for a two-day visit to assess the health condition and COVID-19 center.
She was received by the Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal Hon. Tong Akeen Ngor with her delegation on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Akol Yam FM, Minister Elizabeth Achuei Yol said her mission is to assess health facilities and listen to medical workers’ conditions.
Aweil has one COVID-19 center known as Light House. It was established as an isolation center to keep coronavirus patients.
Achuei said that the data she will collect would be used to improve health conditions.
“I came here to assess what I will manage to support the local communities in terms of health. I have already seen that there are few health officials. There is a lack of drugs. I want to add that women don’t lie if I accept to work on one thing, then I will ensure. If I see that there is nothing of my capacity, then I will not promise. Minister Achuei said.
She said that she alone can’t do anything without support from the top leadership to improved health situation in the country.
“I am a minister, I have my bosses, and if they are not willing to support the plan, then it cannot happen,” said Achuei.
Adding that this is why many top officials may be seen as liars when they make promises which they don’t keep.
She also said that her ministry proposed wages increase for the health workers in the upcoming budget submitted to the cabinets for approval.
Some health officials in NBG state expressed concern about the shortage of medical workers at their facilities.
John Agany Deng is the director at the state ministry of health.
He said that they have challenges ranging from low payment and irregular drugs supplies to health facilities in the state.
He also said they do not have mean of transport to visited remotes health facilities in the state.
Adding that even the frontline health workers haven’t been paid any incentives in the fight against coronavirus.
Agany said that he hope that the minister of health will address some of their concerns which she has seen here.
Other health workers spoke about prioritizing service delivery to the people.
Northern Bahr el Ghazal recorded 11 positive cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic begins and all are discharged.
