Unity State to restore health services in Panyijiar after UN intervention

BENTIU – Health services in Panyijiar County are set to resume following high-level consultations between Unity State’s Ministry of Health and United Nations agencies, days after a controversial suspension left thousands without access to essential medical care.

In a statement issued Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Unity State Ministry of Health confirmed that the State Minister for Health convened a consultative meeting with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at the ministry’s headquarters. The meeting focused on the suspension of health programs and financial and operational activities in Panyijiar County.

According to the ministry, discussions placed “heavy emphasis” on maintaining essential health services in the county, with the minister reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring healthcare delivery to vulnerable populations. The statement indicated that the suspension is expected to be lifted once “appropriate administrative adjustments are successfully implemented.”

The development follows last week’s announcement by Unity State Health Minister Jal Puok ordering the immediate suspension of health-related programs and financial operations in Panyijiar, citing serious administrative breakdowns and escalating security concerns.

The move sparked sharp criticism from local authorities and humanitarian actors. In a letter addressed to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Michael Marial Kel, the Acting Director of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Panyijiar County, described the decision as politically motivated and warned of dire consequences for civilians.

Marial argued that the suspension amounted to a blanket halt of all health services, disrupting essential healthcare delivery at a time when the county is battling a severe public health crisis. He stressed that humanitarian assistance must remain “neutral, impartial, independent, and non-political,” in line with core humanitarian principles.

At the time of the suspension, Panyijiar was grappling with a confirmed cholera outbreak totalling 640 cases, including 12 patients admitted at a health facility. In February alone, the county recorded 1,560 malaria cases and 669 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Health officials and humanitarian partners warned that the absence of functional health facilities, trained personnel, essential medicines, and emergency response capacity would expose the population to preventable illness and death.

“We strongly believe that communities should not suffer the consequences of administrative or leadership misconduct, and any life lost during this period is the responsibility of the state Ministry of Health,” Marial said.

The latest engagement between the state ministry, WHO, and UNICEF signals a potential breakthrough, raising hopes that health services in Panyijiar will soon be restored to prevent further deterioration of an already fragile public health situation.