Doing the Opposite: The easing of COVID-19 restrictions in South Sudan
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By Job Bulek, Juba, South Sudan
The world has been attacked by invisible invader starting from Asia (China) to nearly all countries of the world within short time.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is real and is contagious like other types of influenzas know to human beings.
The invader has claimed more than a quarter of a million around the world so far. The United States and Great Britain top the list of the countries affected by coronavirus.
South Sudan as a global citizen is not immune from effects and impacts of the enemy threatening the existence of humanity.
Currently, there are more than two hundred confirmed cases of infection as reported by the Task Force on coronavirus. Majority of these cases are from the local transmissions starting from Juba to States despites lockdowns. The task force started well with the right foot but changed direction abruptly by easing some restrictions at a time when numbers of those infected are climbing rapidly.
In this case, the force tasked with the protection of South Sudanese and their visitors has failed miserably. First shutting down of the essential services before the confirmation of any case and now lifting restrictions at a time when the local transmission is threatening lives of vulnerable citizens in a country without standard health care system was a huge mistake.
For the safety of everyone, the task force have to reverse its decision by reinstating restriction measures on public transport industry occupied by Boda-bodas, Rickshaws, Noahs, Bonga buses and other means of transport that poses risk to the general public including those thinking of better treatment in neighbouring countries.
For the welfare of frontline workers including organised forces, their safety should be a priority in terms of Personal Protective Equipment (disposal gowns, gloves, face shields, sanitisers and running water) and safe working environment.
The delaying frontline workers and all civil servants’ salaries must stop if the war is to be worn and lives saved. Since last year, the government has increased the salaries of higher Education’s civil servants but has failed to do the same to all civil servants including health care workers and organised forces who are paid less than five dollars per a month which is sometimes delayed for several months for unknown reasons.
This should be a wakeup call to our government which has been neglecting health industry since the time of CPA leading to the independence of South Sudan. It is a time for the government to invest in health care especially training of health care workers such as Doctors, Nurses, midwives, pharmacies, and allied health workers.
As per now, the Task Force, Ministry of Health and Nongovernment Organisations must reinstate restrictions measures and put up a temporary field hospital (Mega Tents) to deal with these increasing threats from COVID-19.
You can reach the author, Job Bulek, via his email Contact: jobbulek@gmail.com
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