Authorities in South Sudan’s Gogrial State said health services are affected by a budget shortfall in the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the state minister for Health, Dr. Abut Karbino Akec said the low salary structure makes it difficult for her ministry to deploy personnel in some of the counties.

“We work with the national ministry of health and now they have brought in a new circular which harmonizes all the salaries and has now affected our work with the local staffs down here,” Akec said.

She added, “This is because some staffs say the new circular has not captured some parts and the salary is low. As such, we are facing challenges with staffs as some don’t want to work and are looking for better opportunities with NGOs”.

Akec pointed out that the state hospital in Kuacjok has recorded several malaria cases due to flooding, adding that her ministry has requested the national government to supply medicines.

The minister stressed that her priority is to ensure any patient who visits a hospital or health facility receives treatment. She urged the government and health partners to work together.