Authorities in Wonduruba Administrative Payam have raised concern over the absence of an ambulance, after a child died last week during transport due to a lack of emergency medical support.

The coordinator of Wonduruba Administrative Payam, Towongo Stephen Michael, said the lack of an ambulance has forced residents to rely on motorcycles and other improvised means to reach distant health facilities.

“The healthcare system in Wonduruba is lacking ambulances, forcing pregnant women and the sick to be transported by motorbike,” Towongo said.

He described a recent incident in which a child died while being transported for medical care.

“Three days ago, I was deeply discouraged after a child died in Yei. When I received the call, we had no choice but to use a motorbike, and it was heartbreaking to see the ropes loosen during the journey, forcing us to stop and replace them with local ropes to carry the body,” he said.

“This experience shows the urgent need for an ambulance in Wonduruba. At this critical stage, an ambulance is vital for saving lives and improving healthcare.”

Towongo said pregnant women, children and critically ill patients are the most affected, adding that the situation becomes worse during the rainy season when poor roads make transportation more difficult.

He said the issue has been raised in reports to both the state and national governments.

“That is why we consistently include this request in our reports to both the governor and the national government, hoping to receive the necessary support,” he said.

Towongo raised the concern on Friday during an engagement with the First Deputy Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Ambrose Lomin Pitia.

In response, Lomin said authorities are aware of the situation and the need to improve emergency health services.

“As Members of Parliament, both at the state and national levels, we strongly believe that Wonduruba needs peace to pursue development and improve the lives of our people,” Lomin said.

He said the community faces challenges in accessing education and healthcare services.

“During the rainy season, residents endure hardships without proper healthcare services. The situation for women and lactating mothers is particularly difficult, as there is not a single ambulance available to evacuate the sick from Wonduruba to Juba or Yei,” he said.

Lomin said there are plans to engage the Ministry of Health to address the situation.

“We plan to reach out to the Minister of Health to address these urgent needs and ensure that Wonduruba receives the support it requires,” he said.

Media reports indicate that South Sudan’s health sector remains underfunded, resulting in limited services and heavy reliance on humanitarian assistance.

Efforts to reach county health authorities for further comment were not immediately successful.