By Scopas Bethuel
International medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has, in a press release, announced the permanent closure of its hospital in Ulang, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, and withdrawn support from 13 associated primary healthcare facilities, citing escalating security concerns following a violent attack in April.
The decision follows the looting and destruction of the hospital by armed individuals on April 14. MSF reported that its facilities were stormed, staff and patients were threatened, and property was extensively damaged or stolen. Medicines worth €135,000, medical equipment, and nearly nine months’ worth of critical supplies were looted. Whatever couldn’t be taken was destroyed, according to MSF Head of Mission Zakaria Mwatia.
“They took everything… Whatever they could not carry, they destroyed,” said Mwatia. “The extensive losses have left us without the necessary resources to continue operations.”
The Ulang facility was the only secondary healthcare center serving communities across a 200-kilometre stretch from the Ethiopian border to Malakal. The hospital’s closure and MSF’s withdrawal from surrounding clinics have left tens of thousands without access to essential health services. The burden has now shifted to a few remaining facilities, particularly in Malakal, which has seen a recent influx of patients.
The April incident marked the second major attack on MSF operations in the region this year. In January, MSF boats delivering supplies to Nasir County Hospital came under fire, forcing passengers to flee into the river. Weeks after the looting in Ulang, another MSF hospital in Old Fangak was bombed, leading to a suspension of services there as well.
“These attacks on healthcare are part of a worrying trend that severely disrupts lifesaving services and puts patients and staff at grave risk,” Mwatia said. “We urgently call for the protection of medical workers, patients, and health facilities in conflict zones.”
Since its establishment in 2018, the Ulang MSF project has provided essential healthcare to over 150,000 people, including 139,730 outpatient consultations, 32,966 malaria treatments, and 2,685 assisted maternal deliveries. It also supported patient referrals along the Sobat River and responded to outbreaks and emergencies in the region.
Despite the closures, MSF affirmed its continued commitment to providing aid in South Sudan. A mobile emergency team is currently assessing needs and preparing to deploy along the Sobat Corridor, contingent on security conditions. The organization maintains active projects in Malakal and Renk counties.
Following these attacks, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, last month condemned what it called deliberate aerial bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, adding that the action may constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law and war crime.