Legacy is never escaped

By Ngor Arol Garang

Health system was not properly structured to serve the entire population when South Sudan came into being as an independent state on July 9th 2011, after she successfully conducted an internationally monitored referendum as part of the implementation process of the clause on self-determination under the 2005 which ended decades of conflict with Sudan from which it seceded.

The conflict with the north which initially started in 1955 in Torit town, the capital of the present Eastern Equatoria State, in what is now known as the republic South Sudan, a year before independence in 1956, could not allow majority of the rural population access health services. And the legacy of inequalities left behind by the colonial system and continued by the successive regimes in Khartoum, meant that a centralised health system with the total lack of medical facilities and providers in many of the poorer, rural areas.

As a new state tries to exert control over the vast area, the challenge it faces are enormous. And with the competing priorities, the Transitional Constitutional is attempting to address this inequality, putting out clearly that every South Sudanese has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care, sufficient food and water and social security.

But which is also experiencing challenges despite significant progresses being made. Today, Primary Health Care in the country is largely provided through a network of community based health clinics, most of them run by some International Relief Organisations with support from the development partners. Using decentralised system of governance, the central ministry of health sets the norms and standards of care but states are responsible for delivering this care. It is from these efforts that I recognised appointment of the 17 health practitioners by Northern Bahr el Ghazal state council of ministers. These are people with competency and the will serve.
Of the people I know with the ability and desire to service our people is Paulino Kuol Akok, who has now been appointed director for preventive medicine, Dominic Athian Dut, Director for primary health care, John Chan Akol, Director for Human Resources, Isaac Yai Pioth, who has been appointed as per the list i saw as County Health Department Officer for Aweil East and Santino Majok Mayen, Deputy Director for Monitoring and Evaluation.

I have worked with Mayen for International Rescue Committee (IRC) as certified Community Health Workers (CHW), after receiving loaded nine months training in Billing, Lakes State and Alek, Warrap State. We became heads of Primary Health Units in different locations, on the basis of our performances and application of the knowledge we acquired during trainings.

He was in Korok in the present day Aweil North County, while I was in Ameth Primary Health unit, in what remains Aweil East County. Paulino Akok was the overall supervisor before he left for a clinical officer course in Maridi, Western Equatoria State, and I replaced him as a supervisor for Aweil East and Deng Atak, whom I have not heard his whereabouts for more than ten years, took Aweil North.
Mayen remained in charge of his unit until he replaced me when I left IRC in 2001. I don’t know who replaced him. So I know abilities of most of the newly appointed directors and the will to serve. This was why I received their appointments with excitements.

I also consider the development as a response by the state administration to employing the right work force to assist in the delivery of basic services to our people and therefore want, not would like, to congratulate Tong Deng, State minister of health, for realising the importance of utilising appropriate skills and knowledge in the delivery of service. I also congratulate Governor Malong for paying a listening ear and favourable response to the people’s will.

This is where people like me are quick to lend him a hand recognizing the good thing his administration had done. We do so as responsible citizens putting forward interest of the public and with the view that Mading Aweil is bigger than any of us. We will always do the same where his administration fails, pointing out areas where improvement is required.

This appointment should be replicated in the other ministries, especially education, agriculture, finance and local government. It is true leaders come and go but what i consider important, in my view, is the legacy they leave behind after period of their service. Legacy is never escaped. I finally want to congratulate the new officials on appointment and for showing patience over the years. Tong Deng has done is part and the challenge is now with you to prove that you have the perceived knowledge and ability to serve your people in areas of your assignments.

Ngor Garang is a Sudan Tribune Journalist and be reached via [email protected]