Charter plane being unloaded at Akobo Airstrip. (Photo: Courtesy).

Akobo General Hospital in Jonglei State has received essential medical supplies – ending a dire funding shortage that forced the closure of the facility, the commissioner said.

According to Commissioner Puok Nyang Tut, health workers at the hospital are also expected to receive incentives for the past four months.

Since August 2024, communities in the area nursed illnesses at home while waiting for a new implementing partner after healthcare services collapsed due to lack of medical supplies and staff support.

On November 12, hundreds of residents there took to the streets to demand quick government intervention to address the health crisis.

But Akobo Commissioner said on December 18 that the hospital will now be reopened after securing funding from a health partner Care International.

“I came on 12th December with Care International which is now going to be the implementing partner for Akobo Hospital,” he said.

He said drug consignment has been dispatched from Juba by 14 Charter Planes and hospital staff will now receive four months of incentives from September 2024 after registering with the Cover Collect digital system.

“So, on the second day, the drug started coming. So far, we have received more than 14 cargo planes that are two tons, bringing drug supplies essential drugs, and other hospital equipment for Akobo Hospital.”

Commissioner Nyang said the hospital has 8 Specialized Doctors and 16 Medical Doctors.

The Ministry of Health previously said it was finalizing arrangements to restore full operations to Akobo Hospital.

It blamed the residents for rejecting services from Save the Children and Care International in mid-2024. According to the Ministry, the rejection of the proposed non-governmental organizations prompted the institution to engage local leaders to resolve the stalemate.