South Sudan: MSF Forced to Close Hospital Due to Increasing Violence and Attacks

MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders) has been forced to close its hospital in Ulang county, South Sudan, due to a series of violent incidents, including armed attacks and looting. This closure will leave over 150,000 people with limited access to healthcare, a critical lifeline for the local population. The hospital's closure comes amidst a spike in violence across South Sudan, with multiple states experiencing fighting, displacement, and civilian casualties. MSF has called on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect medical facilities, health workers, and patients.

Key Takeaways:

• MSF has been forced to close its hospital in Ulang county, South Sudan, due to violent incidents, including armed attacks and looting.
• The hospital's closure will affect over 150,000 people, who will have limited access to healthcare services.
• MSF had been providing vital health services in Ulang since 2018, including trauma, maternal, and pediatric care, with a team of over 50 health professionals.
• The hospital's closure follows a pattern of attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan, with MSF's hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei state, being bombed in April 2025.
• Over 800 patients with chronic illnesses, such as HIV, tuberculosis, and others, have lost access to treatment due to the closure of MSF services.
• MSF has called on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect medical facilities, health workers, and patients.

Statistics:

• Over 150,000 people will be left without access to healthcare services due to the hospital's closure.
• MSF has carried out over 139,730 outpatient consultations since 2018.
• MSF has admitted 19,350 patients and treated 32,966 cases of malaria since 2018.
• MSF assisted 2,685 deliveries and provided support to Nasir County hospital during this time.
• There have been multiple incidents of attacks on healthcare facilities in South Sudan since 2025, including the bombing of MSF's hospital in Old Fangak.

Sources:

• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - South Sudan: MSF hospital forcibly closed in Ulang, Upper Nile state, following armed looting (Press Release, 14 Apr 2025)
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - South Sudan: MSF strongly condemns the deliberate bombing of our hospital in Old Fangak, Jonglei state (Press Release, 4 May 2025)
• MSF - South Sudan: MSF hospital forced to close in Ulang, Upper Nile state, following armed looting (Press Release, 14 Apr 2025)
• Contify.com - South Sudan: MSF hospital forcibly closed in Ulang, Upper Nile state, following armed looting (14 Apr 2025)