Jamal: An unsung SPLA medical hero forgotten BY: Isaiah Abraham, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
OCT. 12/2011, SSN; Positive national contribution made by individuals and groups for the freedom and liberation of the people of South Sudan, is something no one could really enumerate, and expect to cover everything. Our people in their individual and collective roles have tried to contribute for a larger cause we have all witnessed in July (Independence). But I have in mind this man called Jamal from Rumbek. I met him during the liberation struggle in Ethiopia at the end of the 1980s, and from there on, we have been always crossing one another in the field. The young man then enrolled in Medical Division, and from that day until I met him yesterday in Bilpam in Juba, Jamal never changed his medical services to men and women in uniform. In fact all SPLA medical doctors are currently in bad shape under Kiir administration, something no one could understand, why is it this way? Mr. Kiir has found new friends in arms from elsewhere (say opportunists) leaving behind the medical professionals during the war in the likes of Dr. Henry Makeny, Dr. Girabane Kemeri, Dr. Dau Aleer, Dr. Akol Diing, Dr. Martin Cirilo, Dr. Manyang Agoth, Dr. Achol Marial, Dr. Lueth Garang and Dr. Atem Nathan, just to be brief. The big man unfortunately has become so close to those who have been sitting on the fence in Khartoum and Europe doing nothing or something against the people's liberation struggle. Even the jobs given to the above mentioned men are pittance in nature, an initiative by comrade James Hoth Mai, just to keep them on monthly payroll. President Kiir has become so unpredictable and a difficult person to say the least, the man we knew long enough. Even this author is one of the forgotten persons, in the new-found-lie that the ‘bush’ people aren’t qualified. What qualification is the president talking about, ya akuani? May be I have deviated a little, yeah? Back to Jamal. There is this incident about this man called Jamal (his father name not known to me) that has always haunted me whenever I look at the status of those who now claim to be patriotic and serious about South Sudan future. That man (Jamal) was in the pool of half dead, and badly wounded soldiers from a certain front line with no bandages, gauze dressings, adhesive tapes, thermal blankets, enough scissors or tweezers etc, but a burden. He used pieces of his own shirt and applied it as adhesive. No one near him saved for few soldiers guarding the wounded. I left in disbelief and shock. Few hours later I returned and found him puffing a tobacco with wild smiling as he attempted to reassure his patients who were deeply in pain lying on the floor. I asked him the whereabout of the Doctor and he told me that the doctor had gone to look for medical supplies from certain NGOs operating in the area. Shortly Dr. Karlo Madut emerged, and jointly they were on their business. Then again I met Jamal in Torit during our brief there, in the same situation but with more staff around him, and enough medical stuff. We chatted a little, and then I went my way. Last week in Bilpam (the army headquarters in Juba), I stumbled over this young man again and Jamal was still wearing the same spirit, despite being left in the same rank, while pretenders jumped ranks they have not worked for were over him in command in the Unit (medical). I embraced him warmly and almost shed tears over his shoulders. He happily went on with his duties and when I flashed back and looked at others of his situation, I felt so bad about everything! I said to myself something must be wrong under Dr. Kuol Deng (medical head). How could Dr. Kuol and his assistant Dr. Ajak Bullen easily forget Jamal, the veteran medical officer known to many SPLA bush people? I kept asking myself until I found peace in the appointment of Comrade Gen. Dr. Majak D’ Agoot, the Deputy Defense Minister. Gen. Dr. Majak who should have been appointed outright as Security Minister of Defense Minister, not to deputize anyone is a star of no equal in Kiir administration. I believe with him now there, things will change for better! I suggest that Comrade Jamal should be sent for further medical training and he has to be given his due rank. Comrade Jamal is young, educated and sapient. But if we started to forget people who happened to share with us tough moments during the struggle, what if the ‘king that doesn’t know Joseph’ comes to power? At times I fight a pain of remorse when people just take no consideration of others but themselves. If the current leadership isn’t careful we will walk away to another group or person who will take care of us! We can do just that if Kiir continuous to bring in the likes of Betty, the Magayas and the company. Look at Comrade Ann Itto, how could anyone leave this liberation shot in the cold and go for a greener who never slept a night without food in her stomach. Again wasn’t that not the same Magaya, who was yesterday in bed with the enemy, eating nicely and feasting whenever we are defeated momentarily in the battle fields? Please, we are humans, you can’t leave people around and go and shop for ‘angels’ we don’t know. Yes Kiir Government is balanced, but on our expenses, we the generation of the bush! We expect no less than what we deserve. There are many other Jamals out there, and colleagues in power shouldn’t look away. Isaiah Abraham lives in Juba; he’s on [email protected] COMMENTS, PLEASE CLICK HERE Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author(s) and do not represent those of the website. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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