Juba Teaching Hospital Faces Five Days Without Electricity as Services Strained

Juba Teaching Hospital has entered its fifth consecutive day without electricity, raising serious concerns over the delivery of critical medical services at the country’s main referral facility.

Hospital sources say the prolonged power outage has disrupted operations in several departments, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and maternity ward. Patients in need of specialized care have been referred to Al Sabah Children’s Hospital for further management.

According to officials, the hospital has been unable to settle its soaring electricity bill, reportedly amounting to approximately 7 million South Sudanese Pounds per day. The facility largely depends on cost-sharing fees paid by patients, which administrators say are insufficient to cover the growing operational expenses.

Sources further claim that the government does not directly cover the hospital’s electricity costs, leaving the institution struggling to maintain essential services. Despite the challenges, medical staff continue to report to duty, with some doctors said to be working under extremely difficult conditions.

In emergency situations, several mothers experiencing complicated labor were transferred overnight to the Military Hospital for urgent surgical intervention. Witnesses also reported that some health workers used phone flashlights to assist patients during critical moments due to the lack of power.

The ongoing situation has sparked public concern, with calls for urgent intervention to restore electricity and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services at the national referral hospital.