10 medical workers jailed over alleged medical errors – Doctors’ Union

The Chairperson of the South Sudan Doctors’ Union says 10 medical workers have been imprisoned since April over alleged medical errors.

Dr. Zacharia Ajak says those arrested include doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, and laboratory staff, mostly from private health facilities, with one from a government hospital.

“We have 10 medical personnel in prison due to medical errors. These personnel were imprisoned without trial. Most of these incidents occurred in private hospitals, with one case in a government hospital,” he said.

He says the arrests were carried out without trial and strongly criticised the action, warning that such arrests may discourage doctors from remaining in the profession.

“These personnel were imprisoned without trial. Most of these incidents occurred in private hospitals, with one case in a government hospital,” he said.

Dr. Ajak says some of the deaths could be due to other medical complications and not necessarily negligence.

“Therefore, I hope that an investigation will be conducted in the event of such incidents. I hope that we do not take the law into our own hands,” he said.

The Union is proposing that health workers be allowed to use their professional identification cards and workplace details as guarantors at police stations so that they can provide statements without being held in custody.

Dr. Ajak says arresting health workers during emergencies further worsens the country’s existing shortage of medical staff.

He called on the National Parliament to pass a law protecting health workers from arbitrary arrests.

“Therefore, we appeal to the Speaker of the National Parliament to pass and adopt a law to protect medical personnel so that we can avoid these problems in the future,” he appealed.