South Sudan Medics Demand Probe Into Death Of Colleague

By Awan Achiek

The South Sudan Doctors’ Union (SSDU) on Thursday called on authorities to investigate into the recent killing of Doctor Dominic Pitia in Akobo of Jonglei State.

Pitia who worked for Care International as emergency health manager in Akobo was on July 27^th found dead in his room raising suspicion over his death.

“The SSDU is calling on the Jonglei state authorities, particularly the state police commissioner to send an independent investigation team to Akobo to investigate the circumstances and cause of death of Dr. Dominic Pitia,” said the statement issued by the doctors’ union in Juba on Thursday.

 “As we mourn the loss of our colleague, the entire medical fraternity is still in disbelief and speculation regarding the circumstances around his death,” it added.

Pitia’s mysterious death comes in the aftermath of the killing of Dr. Louis Edward Saleh, an employee of the International Rescue Committee in Ganyiel Payam of Unity state.

Saleh’s death forced doctors across the country to threaten to lay down their tools, demanding investigation and arrest of the killers.

They also urged the Unity state government to make public the outcome of it’s investigation into the killing of Dr. Louis Edward.

 The group reminded state authorities and community leaders to ensure protection of health workers.

“Repeated killings or mistreatment of health workers will affect the availability of health professionals to provide health services to communities in the remote areas where there is no proper law enforcement and access to justice,” it said.

It warned that failure by authorities to protect health workers will have serious consequences on the lives of women, children, and the elderly who need medical services most.