Juba Teaching Hospital/Photo by Madrama James|01/01/2024

The Accident and Emergency Department at Juba Teaching Hospital has received 210 patients with injuries sustained from road traffic accidents and gang violence in the new year celebration.

This is more than the 180 cases of injured patients that the department received during the Christmas holiday.

Isaac Maker – Medical Director at Juba Teaching Hospital – said two accident victims succumbed to their injuries out of the over 200 patients.

He added that many of the patients exhibited wounded from knife stabbings and car accidents.

“We received like 210 cases. During the day, we received 110. And these cases are mostly stab wounds and car accident. And at night also, we did receive about 100,” he said.

“So, the total number of patients received only on the 2nd of January is 210 in one department, which is surgical department. Out of these 210, we lost two patients.”

“These two patients are a result of a car accident. A car had hit a motorbike. Two patients were injured. One died on the spot, and the other one came and died in the OPD.”

Maker stated that in the case of gang violence, there were few instances in which some elements attempted to follow wounded patients to the facility for revenge as seen in one incident that occurred on December 24.

He appealed to the public not to take law into their hands by storming the hospital in revenge fighting but rather respect the facility.

“Please, you have to appreciate whatever is done to you. You appreciate the doctors, you appreciate the hospital. Don’t fight with the doctors.”

“You listen to their advice, because they are experts in that field. They want to save your life. They even don’t know you, but they feel that it is their obligation to save your life. Please stop drinking, stop fighting, stop loitering around and work hard. If we don’t work hard, this country will not go ahead.”