Authors: Obaj Okuj | Stephen Omiri | Published: 12 hours ago
Hon. Dr. Kennedy Ganiko, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, delivers remarks during an SSDU symposium in Juba on Friday. The forum focused on balancing patient rights with the protection of healthcare workers. (Credit: Moses Awan/Eye Radio)
JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — The Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kennedy Ganiko, has called for a balanced and lawful approach to handling medical disputes, stressing that neither healthcare providers nor patients should “take the law into their own hands.”
Speaking on Friday, December 19, at a high-profile symposium organized by the South Sudan Doctors’ Union (SSDU) at Juba Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ganiko underscored the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of both medical professionals and the public.
The Undersecretary praised the SSDU for initiating a critical dialogue on legal liabilities in medical practice. While acknowledging the right of patients to seek justice for medical errors, Dr. Ganiko condemned the rising trend of physical attacks and arbitrary arrests of healthcare workers.
“Violence against doctors is unacceptable,” Dr. Ganiko stated. He urged the public to channel grievances through established legal institutions rather than resorting to physical confrontation. He noted that medical professionals often work under extreme conditions, responding to nighttime emergencies without immediate pay. “Discouraging doctors through mistreatment could further weaken healthcare services in the country,” he warned.
The symposium, held in partnership with the Vision Centre for Legal Studies and Training, brought together a diverse group of medical professionals, legal experts, law enforcement officials, and policymakers.
The event featured key presentations from Dr. Barnaba Kirina Lobeng, Executive Director of the Vision Centre for Legal Studies and Training, and Dr. Francis Luigi Adwok, Advocate and Head of the Immunity Lifting Committee at the South Sudan Bar Association.
The discussions focused on bolstering awareness of legal responsibilities among healthcare providers. By promoting adherence to legal standards, the SSDU aims to enhance the quality and safety of medical services across South Sudan.
The partnership between medical and legal bodies is seen as a vital step in creating a framework where medical errors can be investigated fairly, ensuring accountability without compromising the safety of the doctors who serve under challenging circumstances.
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