South Sudan’s Doctors decry poor pay

South Sudan’s Doctors Union is calling on South Sudan’s government to increase pay and improve working conditions for medical personnel.

The Doctors union says it’s deeply concerned that the Ministry of Labour is still using the old Sudan salary scale 10 years into South Sudan’s independence.

“The government’s policy of paying SSP.4,350 ($24) and SSP.6,840 ($38) has forced trained health workers to migrate into the private sector or overseas. We call on the Ministry of Labour to review official salary rates of health professionals, adjust remunerations and ensure wages are paid between 25th to 30th day of every month.” Reads part of a press statement availed on Thursday.

The Doctors also called on South Sudan’s government to increase health budget allocation, they say they have witnessed continues decline in budget allocated to the health ministry.

They said in 2018-2019 budgets, less than 2% was allocated to the ministry of health.

“Now that the civil war has ended, the South Sudan’s Doctor’s Union calls on the government to consider increasing health budget allocation from 2% to at least 15% per the Abuja Declaration.” Said the Doctors.

They are also urging their colleagues in the health sector to get vaccinated against COVID-19

“COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting the corona virus or from being seriously ill even if you get infected with the virus. It may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. ” Added the Doctors’ Union.

The World Health Organization and South Sudan’s Health Ministry say there are about 189 physicians for the 12 million South Sudanese people.

That number translates to one doctor for every 39,088 persons.