South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has urgently called on all parties to the conflict in Upper Nile State to respect and protect civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
“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,” said Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan in a statement on Friday.
MSF noted that a cholera outbreak combined with insecurity and limited access to water and sanitation is placing the communities in Nasir and Ulang areas at even greater risk.
Since February, more than 430 cholera patients have been treated at Ulang hospital alone, which remains the only functioning health facility in the area.
“As an independent organisation, we provide medical care to everyone in need regardless of their affiliation in a neutral and impartial manner,” said Mwatia.
MSF said that violence in Upper Nile State has so far displaced thousands and made access to healthcare increasingly difficult.
The cholera outbreak is spreading rapidly, putting even more lives at risk and deepening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
“With cholera spreading and violence continuing, the need for medical care in Upper Nile State has become more critical than before,” said Mwatia.
MSF teams are also delivering medical services in Renk County in Upper Nile and also supporting cholera affected communities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area and Jonglei State.
