The Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Professor John Akec, has called on the national government to hand over the management of Juba Teaching Hospital to the University of Juba, citing persistent poor management and declining services at the facility.
Speaking during World Cancer Day celebrations in Juba, Prof. Akec said the country’s main referral hospital continues to deteriorate due to ineffective administration, adding that placing it under university management would significantly improve service delivery.
“The situation at Juba Teaching Hospital keeps worsening because of poor management,” Prof. Akec said.
“If we were given the opportunity to manage Juba Teaching Hospital, we could actually demonstrate what can be done to improve the service.”
He argued that universities worldwide manage teaching hospitals effectively by integrating healthcare service delivery, medical training, and research, a model he believes could work in South Sudan.
According to Prof. Akec, transferring the hospital to the University of Juba would strengthen medical education, enhance clinical training for students, and improve patient care through better supervision and accountability.
“I urge the government to put Juba Teaching Hospital under the University of Juba,” he added, appealing to national authorities to consider the proposal in the interest of improving public healthcare.
Juba Teaching Hospital, the country’s largest public health facility, has long faced challenges including inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure, shortages of medical supplies, and management concerns.
Government officials have not yet publicly responded to Prof. Akec’s proposal.
