(Access Radio Evening News Bulletin) – Health authorities in Yei River County have announced plans to reopen a primary healthcare unit closed for nearly a decade, while farmers receive new tractor repair equipment and schools struggle with a growing shortage of teachers.
The Primary Health Care Unit in Pokula Boma has remained non-functional since the 2016 conflict, forcing residents to rely on traditional remedies or travel approximately 22 miles to Yei town for treatment.
Yei County Health Director Simon Musoga told Access Radio on Friday that the county is taking steps to restore services. The plan includes assessing and renovating the facility, mobilising essential medicines, and deploying newly trained community health workers .
Musoga also disclosed that the county has secured a standby ambulance to support emergency referrals for patients from rural communities requiring urgent medical attention .
The planned reopening follows concerns raised by local leaders over healthcare access challenges in Pokula and surrounding villages.
In agriculture, farmers in Yei River County are expected to benefit from improved tractor services following a donation of garage tools and maintenance equipment to the Yei Crop Training Centre by the German development agency, GIZ.
The support, provided through the Community Driven Rural Development project, aims to strengthen tractor repair and maintenance services ahead of upcoming planting seasons. The donation includes an air compressor, a mobile diesel welding generator, mechanical toolboxes, and personal protective equipment. The equipment will service eight tractors operating across the county .
Barakat Amule David, a trainer at the Yei Crop Training Centre, told Access Radio that the equipment will help improve mechanised farming and increase agricultural production .
Local agricultural stakeholders say improved access to tractor maintenance services is expected to reduce operational costs for farmers while increasing efficiency in land preparation and crop production .
Education authorities in Yei River County say poor motivation and the worsening economic situation have forced many teachers to leave the profession, contributing to a growing shortage of educators.
The concern follows reports from community leaders in Pokula Boma that a lack of teachers is affecting children’s access to education and contributing to increased school dropouts and early marriages among girls.
Earlier this week, Pokula Boma Executive Chief Sebit Felix Alfred told Access Radio that the area has only volunteer teachers, most of whom have reached Primary Six level, teaching in three classrooms without pay. The chief appealed to county and state authorities to intervene .
Yei River County Director of Education Philip Taban Issa said the shortage of teachers and scholastic materials is a widespread challenge affecting primary schools throughout the county. He explained that most schools now rely on volunteer teachers as many trained educators have left the profession due to difficult economic conditions .
Education authorities are urging development partners and relevant government institutions to support teacher training programmes and address salary challenges to improve learning conditions across Yei River County.
A quick-thinking lorry driver prevented what could have been a major tragedy after driving his burning truck away from a fuel station in Bazi, Morobo County, the Borderline news channel reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday while the truck was being refuelled before travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports indicate that sparks from a nearby smoker ignited fuel vapour around the vehicle, causing it to catch fire.
Witnesses say the driver immediately moved the burning lorry away from the petrol station, preventing the flames from spreading to underground fuel tanks and averting a potentially devastating explosion.
Although the truck and several fuel containers were destroyed, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Authorities have not yet released further details.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has clarified that there is no government directive requiring foreign nationals to leave South Sudan.
In a public statement issued on 8th October, the ministry said it had noted recent public discussions regarding foreign nationals’ participation in small-scale commercial activities, particularly in Juba .
The ministry emphasized that the Government of South Sudan has not issued any order instructing foreign citizens to depart. Commercial activities remain subject to existing laws and regulations, with concerns to be handled by relevant authorities .
The government reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, legitimate foreign investment, and maintaining constructive relations with foreign nationals and their respective countries .
The clarification comes amid growing public debate over foreign traders’ role in local businesses.
Health Minister Dak Duop says hundreds of South Sudanese die from cancer every year, as the country continues to struggle without a functional national cancer control system.
Cancer survivors and families of patients have called on the government to establish a specialised cancer treatment centre. They say the lack of services forces patients to seek care abroad at high financial and emotional costs.
The call was made during a workshop on 7th October that brought together experts, health partners, victims and families of cancer survivors to review gaps in detection, treatment and management.
Agnes, a cancer survivor diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, said she had to leave South Sudan for treatment with financial and logistical support from her family. She urged the Ministry of Health to establish specialised services in the country .
Burkina Faso’s military government has approved plans to recruit more volunteers into its armed forces as escalating militant attacks raise concerns about troop losses and the country’s ability to sustain its counterinsurgency campaign.
The initiative, introduced under military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, is intended to strengthen domestic defence capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign security partners. Analysts warn the recruitment drive may also reflect growing pressure on military personnel and equipment.
Burkina Faso has struggled for nearly a decade to contain armed groups, particularly Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an Al Qaeda-linked coalition responsible for attacks across the Sahel.
Military analyst Amro Diallo told Erem News that Burkina Faso’s armed forces had suffered substantial losses in recent months, particularly during attacks on military bases and convoys in northern and eastern regions. He argued that recruiting additional civilians had yet to deliver significant battlefield gains .
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