By Matik Kueth
The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on the warring parties in Upper Nile State to respect and protect civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
This appeal comes as violence and displacement intensify in the region, with MSF teams continuing to provide lifesaving medical services in the few remaining functional health facilities in Upper Nile.
In a statement extended to King Media on Friday, Zakaria Mwatia, MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan, noted that as the clashes between the armed youth and the SSPDF continue, women, children, and the elderly remain in the villages with no medical aid.
“Despite the ongoing violence and displacement, many people including women, children, and the elderly have remained in their villages and towns in Ulang and Malakal counties. In a context where functioning health facilities are already limited, the few remaining hospitals are a lifeline for people in the area. It is vital that medical facilities, patients, and healthcare workers are protected and that access to medical care is not obstructed,” Mwatia said.
He reiterated MSF’s unwavering commitment to delivering medical aid to all people, regardless of affiliation, in a neutral and unbiased manner.
“As an independent organization, we provide medical care to everyone in need regardless of their affiliation in neutral and impartial manner. With cholera spreading and violence continuing, the need for medical care in Upper Nile state has become more critical than before,” Mwatia emphasized.
According to MSF, the cholera outbreak, combined with insecurity and limited access to water and sanitation, is placing the communities at even greater risk as more than 430 cholera patients have been treated at Ulang hospital, which remains the only functioning health facility in the area.
“Furthermore, in recent weeks, MSF teams in Ulang and Malakal have provided care to over 230 patients including women and children for violence-related injuries. At the same time, MSF’s regular lifesaving medical activities continue. More than 200 patients, including women and children, are currently under treatment in Malakal and Ulang hospitals. In just the past two weeks, the medical teams have provided 240 outpatient consultations, 97 antenatal care visits, 47 emergency room consultations, and assisted with 30 deliveries,” it stated.
The health agency further said that its teams are delivering medical services in Renk County in addition to Ulang and Malakal.
“Additionally, MSF is also working in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and across several locations in Jonglei State, including Akobo—continuing to support communities affected by cholera,” it stressed.
However, MSF remains deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Upper Nile state, which has displaced thousands and made access to healthcare increasingly difficult.
MSF supports hospitals in Ulang and Malakal, where teams are treating a growing number of patients with violence-related injuries, as well as cases of cholera.
It also supports several primary healthcare centers, including Doma, Mandeng, Kuich, Galachel, Baliet, and Khorfulus, with cholera-related medical supplies and staff training to strengthen the response and improve access to care in affected areas.