Bor State Hospital, the main referral health facility in Jonglei State, has partially resumed operations after a two-week closure triggered by staff protests over what they described as unprocedural transfers to payams outside Bor town.
Dr. Philip Majok Matiop, the hospital’s medical director, told Radio Tamazuj that the hospital’s main gate and several key departments that had been locked by protesting staff were reopened on Monday.
“The problem is partially solved. Not all the units are open, and my office is still closed, but patients are accessing care. The small gate is open, the OPD is open, and the water is running,” he explained. “It is only my office that is still not open, and we don’t know the issue. The committee that came has taken the complaint of the protesters, and they will present it to the respective concerned authorities for solution and decision-making.”
The shutdown began after staff rejected transfers to facilities outside Bor, including Baidit Hospital, Kolmerek PHCC, Pariak PHCC, and Makuach PHCC.
A doctor who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media reported that three patients died during the period the hospital was closed. He also said that Clinical Officer Mayen Mayol Juuk was arrested and briefly detained for allegedly masterminding the protests.
For his part, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), urged national and state authorities to ensure Mayen’s release, warning that the continued arrest of a clinician during a hospital shutdown endangers patients.
“Patients should not die in the hospital because of a politically motivated allegation against a medical doctor. This is an unacceptable act,” Yakani said. “We need to see Dr. Mayen back in the hospital to save the lives of those at risk. And if he conflicts with the law, then bring him before a competent court with due legal process — but we look at the case as politically motivated.”
As of Monday, only some hospital units are fully functioning, while authorities continue to address the grievances behind the protest.