Midwives use phones to help expectant mothers give birth in Wau referral hospital

By Jenifer James

The lack of reliable power at the main referral hospital in Wau town of Western Bahr El Ghazal State is angering many residents, who raised this concern after receiving Emmanuel Primo Ukello, the newly appointed Governor of the State.

They said the lives of patients in critical condition including pregnant mothers are increasingly at risk due to lack of power.

Mary Juma, a resident of Wau, is among several concerned residents about the state of the main hospital. She told The Dawn on Monday that Governor Ukello should prioritize fixing the power issue at the hospital which also serves people from neighboring Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap State.

 “The former governor tried her best, but we need more from the new government,” Juma said.

She outlined education, health and security to be priorities for the new Governor and his administration.

Another resident, Sarah Abdullah, said pregnant women lack access to basic maternal care, adding that preventable diseases continue to claim lives.

“The government must invest in well-equipped hospitals and trained medical personnel,” Abdullah said.

She also asked Governor Ukello to work to realize sustainable peace and stability.

Zacharia Juma, revealed that the main hospital previously relied on a solar power system that has since stopped working.

“We used to have solar power, which helped women deliver safely. Now, we rely on light from mobile phones during childbirth. We don’t even know what happened to the solar system,” Juma said.

The Minister of Health for Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Francis Michael, on Tuesday admitted to journalists about the poor state of the main referral hospital, adding that the hospital lacks enough medicine and electricity.

“We have noted the challenges in state hospitals, particularly the shortage of medicines,” Michael said.

“In the first quarter of our mission, we documented these issues and engaged in discussions with the national ministry and our partners,” he added.

Michael assured the public that efforts are underway to replenish the medical store of the hospital and also fixing the power.