Duk County health authorities warn of increasing cholera cases among displaced communities. Photo credit: Arak Simon.

Health authorities in Duk County of Jonglei State are appealing to the government and humanitarian partners to provide a functional ambulance to improve the referral of critically ill patients.

The County Health Director, Arak Simon, said the flood-prone county is facing serious health emergencies, with lives at risk because of inadequate transportation for medical referrals.

He said the county recorded 47 emergency referrals during the past six months.

Many of the patients were gunshot victims due to persistent insecurity, while others suffered severe obstetric complications, including obstructed labour, placenta previa, and other maternal emergencies.

“On behalf of the Duk County Health Department and the vulnerable communities we serve, we humbly appeal for your urgent support in the form of a fully functional ambulance donation,” he appealed.

Arak said the county’s only ambulance is old and currently unable to provide reliable emergency transport.

He said its poor condition causes major delays in transferring patients to Bor State Hospital and often risks breaking down before reaching the destination.

According to him, while ordinary vehicles can reach Bor State Hospital in about two and a half hours, the county ambulance takes between four and five hours when it does not break down completely.

He warned that the repeated breakdowns delay life-saving treatment and expose patients, drivers, and health workers to security risks, including attacks by armed criminals along the route.

“This plea comes at a time when our county is facing a critical health emergency, with lives hanging in the balance due to inadequate transportation for medical referrals,” he said.

Arak cited a recent incident in which a woman suffering from obstructed labour was referred to Bor State Hospital on Saturday, 11 July, for an emergency caesarean section.

Although she arrived in time for treatment, he said the ambulance remains stranded in Bor.

He added that on Sunday, 12 July, the county received three critically injured gunshot victims who urgently needed referral to Bor State Hospital, but there was no ambulance available to transport them.

Arak is calling on the national government, development partners, humanitarian organizations, and well-wishers to donate a reliable ambulance to support life-saving emergency referrals in Duk County.