(POKULA BOMA, YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Executive Chief of Pokula Boma in Yei River County has raised concerns over the lack of basic health and education services, describing the situation as a major challenge affecting returning refugees, internally displaced persons and the wider community.
Executive Chief Felix Sebit Alfred said the absence of a health facility and essential medicines continues to expose residents to preventable illnesses and deaths.
“What is paining the people of Pokula Boma is that we do not have a medical facility or medicines here. This place is 22 miles from Yei Town. There are many people who returned from Uganda and others displaced from Yaribe in Morobo County. They are all here suffering without medical services, and children are dying,” he said.
Chief Sebit said he has repeatedly reported the community’s health concerns to county authorities but has yet to receive support.
According to the chief, many residents have resorted to using wild herbal roots and traditional remedies to treat illnesses, including malaria, due to the absence of medical services.
He appealed to the government and humanitarian partners to urgently intervene and address the persistent health challenges facing the people of Pokula Boma.
Meanwhile, the chief also highlighted severe shortages in the education sector, saying a community primary school is currently being managed by three volunteer teachers who are themselves school dropouts.
“There is a primary school, but there are no qualified teachers. We have three volunteer teachers teaching up to Primary Three. Primary Four, Six and Seven have no teachers. Many children are staying out of class, and girls aged 14 and 15 are getting married. Four underage girls have already been married because they are not in school, and I am not happy with this situation,” he said.
Chief Sebit called on the County Education Department to visit Pokula Boma and assess the education challenges affecting learners, warning that the lack of teachers is contributing to school dropouts and early marriages among young girls.
He further urged development partners to support efforts aimed at improving access to quality education and protecting children from harmful practices.
Access Radio was unable to immediately obtain comments from the county health and education authorities regarding the concerns raised by residents of Pokula Boma.
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