Escalating Violence in South Sudan: Dire Impacts on Healthcare Access
In South Sudan, attacks on healthcare facilities by armed groups have led to serious consequences. Doctors Without Borders faced gunfire in January, followed by looting in Ulang three months later, prompting a suspension of services across multiple sites. Ongoing instability and violence severely restrict access to essential medical care, putting the most vulnerable at risk. Recent bombings further exacerbate the crisis, leaving communities without vital healthcare support.
In a recent series of attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan, the repercussions have been severe, affecting the welfare of individuals and communities. Notably, the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) faced two critical incidents earlier this year. In January, their boats were fired upon while transporting medical supplies. Just a few months later, the MSF hospital in Ulang came under assault and was looted, leading to a suspension of all healthcare activities in the area. Such violence directly impacts the availability of essential medical services for vulnerable populations.
On January 15, as MSF’s outreach team navigated the Sobat River, they were unexpectedly attacked. MSF’s boats, clearly marked, underlined their humanitarian mission. The attack led to chaos; Chuol, the outreach team leader, jumped into the river in panic. Riek, connected to the local community, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene, only to find an empty boat. “I was shocked, I thought my colleagues were dead,” he lamented after finding a missing team member injured but alive.
MSF’s operations in Ulang have been crucial since 2018, providing services at 13 sites along the river. The attack has hampered outreach activities, a blow to healthcare access. MSF urgently paused their work post-incident, citing security concerns and initiated an internal investigation. The situation in Ulang is unstable due to ongoing violence, and the repercussions of the January incident left both Chuol and Riek shaken, struggling to cope with the aftermath of their experiences.
In the Ulang hospital, MSF treats maternal and emergency cases, but the numbers have dwindled. Dr. Philip noted, “Since we had to suspend our outreach activities, we have had fewer patients than usual in the hospital.” For many, accessing healthcare has become a significant challenge, with those living far from the hospital forced to wait long periods for transport. Flooding during the rainy season further complicates the situation, severely limiting mobility.
A poignant example of the crisis involved a woman who arrived late to the hospital after complications during her labor. Unfortunately, she lost her twins, highlighting the extreme consequences of the attacks. “She was angry and sad, sad about losing her twins and angry that the attack happened,” recalled Veronica, an MSF midwife. This tragic story illustrates the dire circumstances faced by many in the region.
Ongoing conflicts in Upper Nile state have compounded the healthcare crisis. In April, armed men attacked MSF’s Ulang hospital, leading to the suspension of all medical services there. This left a void; no health facilities are operational in Ulang now. The chronicle of violence that has struck MSF is part of a larger pattern obstructing healthcare access for the population. The price of these attacks is borne by the communities, who are left without essential medical services.
A subsequent incident occurred on May 3, when an MSF facility in Old Fangak was bombed, destroying crucial medical supplies and leaving the area without access to hospital care. David Charo Kahindi, MSF’s medical coordinator, recounted that bombing vividly. He stated, “I could hear the helicopters flying overhead and people screaming… When I reached the pharmacy, it was on fire… It quickly became clear that whoever bombed the hospital wanted…all the medications inside to be completely burned.”
The aftermath led to a calls for urgent assistance, with airlifts supplying necessary medical resources. Despite efforts, the damage inflicted by the attacks cannot be understated. MSF’s facilities provided vital assistance to over 100,000 people, now rendered severely hindered. “Hospitals should never be the targets, and I utterly condemn this bombing,” Kahindi expressed, reflecting on the painful loss and ongoing crisis impacting these communities.
The series of attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan represents a distressing crisis, disrupting access to essential medical care for vulnerable populations. MSF’s operations have been severely impacted, leading to a significant decline in services, compounding complications for those in need of urgent medical attention. The violence not only endangers healthcare workers but strips communities of their fundamental means of support. As the situation remains volatile, the international community must recognize the urgency of strengthening protective measures for healthcare in conflict zones and addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of those affected.
Original Source: www.doctorswithoutborders.org
