Morobo County Faces Critical Medical Supply Shortage

(MOROBO COUNTY) – Residents of Morobo County in Central Equatoria State are raising urgent concerns over a severe shortage of medical supplies across all five Payams of the county.

Community members say they are increasingly forced to rely on traditional herbal remedies or travel long distances to neighboring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to seek medical treatment.

Health officials report a surge in illnesses including; respiratory tract infections, intestinal worm infestations and Malaria.

Mustafa Duku Simon, the in-charge of Morobo Hospital, attributes the increase to poor environmental and sanitation conditions. Many residents are reportedly living in temporary settlements with limited hygiene facilities, increasing the risk of infections.

“In Morobo County, the issue of drugs is now going low in all the facilities,” Duku said in an interview with Radio Iyete FM 87.7.
“We’re doing rotation. If some drugs are more in Kaya, we borrow from Kaya. If some are more in Morobo, they borrow from us — including Rodoba.”

The county’s main hospital reportedly lacks sufficient medication to address pressing health conditions, forcing facilities to share and rotate limited supplies.

Morobo County has long depended on support from humanitarian partners such as: UNICEFF and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). However, since MSF suspended operations, the healthcare system has struggled to cope.

In June 2025, armed opposition soldiers reportedly raided Morobo County Hospital, looted essential medical supplies, and burned two ambulances. The incident forced MSF to suspend its services, leaving a significant gap in healthcare delivery.

Mawa Manase, Chairperson of the Morobo County Civil Society Network, described the situation to Access Radio on Tuesday as critical:

“Since MSF left, it has left a very big gap. Most health facilities have been shut down, and when you go there, there are no drugs. Some patients are referred to buy drugs in clinics, which is hard for most poor people.”

He urged the State Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners to prioritize Morobo County in emergency drug supply distribution.

Attempts by Access Radio to reach county health authorities for comment went unanswered.

The situation in Morobo County highlights the vulnerability of rural health systems heavily reliant on humanitarian support, especially in areas affected by insecurity and displacement. Without urgent intervention, residents remain at risk of worsening health outcomes.