South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has successfully transitioned healthcare services from the Bentiu camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to a collaborative framework with the Ministry of Health (MoH) at Bentiu State Hospital (BSH).
Emmanuel Omale, the MSF Project Coordinator for Bentiu, stated that this move to Bentiu State Hospital represents a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable healthcare system rooted in local ownership and ensuring uninterrupted medical services beyond MSF’s presence.
“The transition lays a strong foundation for sustainable healthcare. MSF continues to work in Bentiu State Hospital in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health to improve access to care, enhance the availability of services, and strengthen local capacity, all aimed at ensuring continuity of healthcare beyond MSF’s involvement,” Omale said in a statement on Monday.
“It also means that more healthcare workers are gaining valuable training and capacity-building opportunities, allowing a wider segment of the population to access care at the government-run hospital,” he added.
Omale emphasised MSF’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Health and local communities to improve health outcomes and uphold the right to quality healthcare for all across Unity State.
He revealed that MSF has provided primary and secondary healthcare—including maternal, paediatric, surgical, HIV/TB, mental health, and inpatient services—at its hospital in the Bentiu camp for over a decade.
Omale also noted that the transition, which began in July 2024 and was completed in June 2025, marks a significant step towards integrating MSF’s services into the national health system to promote sustainability and enhance local capacity.
Simon Puot, the Medical Director of Bentiu State Hospital, expressed optimism about the transition, stating that the integration of services will enhance capacity through training and expand access to a broader population, including those in government-run facilities and the IDP camp.
“This shift from the Bentiu IDP camp to Bentiu State Hospital represents a significant milestone for our community. We have seen notable improvements in hospital infrastructure, an increase in skilled staff, and a meaningful decline in mortality rates,” Puot said.
“This collaboration between the government and MSF ensures our people receive the quality care they deserve. We remain truly committed to ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes for all,” he added.
In 2025, MSF teams have conducted over 21,698 consultations at Bentiu State Hospital (BSH), including 4,036 in the Emergency Room, 397 deliveries, and 981 surgical procedures in both the Ex-PoC and Bentiu State Hospital.
