FEATURE: Remote clinic saves hundreds in Jonglei’s isolated island
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October 6, 2016 (BOR) – Civilians living in forgotten wetlands in Duk
and Twic East counties of South Sudan’s Jonglei state have started
accessing medical services, courtesy of John Dau Foundation (JDF).
JPEG - 49.4 kb
James Thon, giving drugs to one of his patients in Koyoom islands in
Duk, October 2016 (ST)
Here, people drink unpurified water, live in congested places with no
toilets. They lack soaps. In general terms, the level of hygiene is
low.
James Thon Dau, a clinical officer at JDF, works with Ajang Deng
Ajang, a nurse at the clinic located in a remote area.
Locals in the area say cholera kills many people in Ayod islands.
According to the Ajang, an outbreak of cholera last month killed over
48 people, with several other patients admitted at the clinic.
“On the 2 July, there was something like diarrhea, after three days,
the cases reached 10. People thought that it was water poisoning that
caused diarrhea, but when we investigated it clinically, we found it
to be cholera”, the nurse told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
“People were scattered in different islands. Those who came here
arrived when already dehydrated. Some passed away,” she added.
Machar Ajuong, a chief in Koiyom village, also confirmed the 48
deaths. Other patients, he said, died before reaching the clinic.
“We had a problem of where to bury the dead. I struggled with my
community to lay our belief ones to rest”, said Ajuong.
Before December 2013 crisis, the population in the islands of Duk was
about 8,650 people according to the chief. But these tremendously
increased to over 16,000 during and after the crisis. Their islands
are isolated from one another by swamps. No means of communications
between them, and no boats to transport the sick people either.
“Koyoom is very remote and communication is a huge issue, so we cannot
always get the health information out. The Duk Islands is a region
comprised of 47 different islands over a distance of about 70 KM up
the Nile. This is an expansive region and we are only able to reach a
small portion of the islands with the resources currently available”,
Dan Pisegna, JDF’s executive director told Sudan Tribune.
“Many of these people are IDPs who have fled to the islands to escape
conflict. It is not easy to operate there, and additional resources
are always needed, but JDF will always make every effort to assist. It
is not just a matter of resources, it is a matter of committing to
providing quality health care where it is needed most, and in the
islands the need is huge”, he added.
JDF’s staffs at the Islands have no means of communicating to their
officials in Bor, but Pisegna says the foundation has been trying to
get a mobile internet for their staff there, yet they lack the
resources.
Plans are underway to get a boat to transport people to the islands.
“Our biggest challenge in the islands is trying to reach all those in
need of support. Resources are limited, and movement among the islands
is difficult. But our new boat, which is soon to be launched, will
help with this challenging issue. With the boat, we will be able to
provide better healthcare to a larger population”, said Pisegna.
At times it’s very difficult to ferry patients to Bor civil hospital
for surgery.
“We recently raised the money to purchase our own boat which we are
calling our ‘Floating Clinic’ with the boat; we will be able to reach
remote islands more easily. This will help us refer patients, and
ensure essential medicines and drugs are reaching those in need”, the
JDF executive director stressed during the interview.
To reduce the cholera infection, however, the staff of the foundation
reportedly carried out hygiene and sanitation awareness, distributing
tablets for treating the water, alongside other curative measures.
Several and malaria and abortion cases were also reported in Koyoom
village and its neighboring islands by staff of JDF.
Last week alone, five cases of abortion were reportedly recorded at
the clinic, which officials say resulted from malaria and infections
among the expected mothers who never had medical access.
“Cases of abortion were many, due of lack of treatment and care. But
when we came, the cases got reduced. Malaria was the major cause of
abortion because they don’t have mosquito nets”, said Thon.
Up to 50 patients, on a daily basis, are being treatment at Koyoom
from malaria from the start in June and July. Since then, malaria
cases had reduced. In September, only 26 cases were registered.
The center has no testing facility for various diseases except
malaria. Sometimes, some drugs for certain sickness are not available.
The center also lacks a laboratory for testing suspected cases of
diseases.
“We should be having a lab technician here with all the equipment. Now
we have a test for malaria, but some diseases, have no tests. It is
good to treat the patient after the test, that is when you can give
right medicines”, said Thon.
The clinic, he further explained, has no ward, beds, or mattresses for
admitting patients, even the cholera patients we sharing the same
space with other patients and the community members.
(ST)
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