South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has officially handed over an upgraded Renk County Hospital facilities to the local government officials in Renk, expanding healthcare capacity in the county.
The hospital, originally designed to serve just 100 people before the Sudan conflict erupted, had been operating under immense pressure while treating at least 400 patients daily.
The handover ceremony in Renk County, Upper Nile State, marks a critical milestone in addressing the healthcare crisis that has overwhelmed the border community since 2023. The upgraded facility now has three maternity wards, three male wards, one operating theater, and one sterilization room, with each ward accommodating 15 beds.
According to UNHCR data, since the Sudan conflict began, over one million people have fled to South Sudan, with Renk County becoming the primary entrance point for refugees and returnees.
The six-month renovation project, implemented by African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) with UNHCR’s funding support, has transformed the hospital’s capacity to serve both refugees and host communities. The new facilities include specialized maternity care, expanded male ward capacity, and enhanced surgical capabilities through the new operating theater and sterilization room.
Renk County Commissioner Honourable Diing Deng Lueth, praised UNHCR’s critical intervention, emphasizing how the upgrades will enhance the hospital’s ability to accommodate the increasing number of refugees and returnees arriving from Sudan while continuing to serve the local South Sudanese citizens.
The Commissioner announced that county authorities would undertake additional maintenance on the doctors’ lounge, midwives’ school, and other hospital sections, while calling for UNHCR to provide furniture and medical equipment for the newly constructed units
Representing UNHCR at the event Ms. Silva Alkebeh, noted that the hospital handover coincides with World Refugee Day 2025 which took place on 20 June, celebrated under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees”. She commended South Sudan for being among the few nations that have translated solidarity into concrete action, demonstrating genuine commitment to hosting refugees despite facing its own national challenges.
“South Sudan has maintained an open-door policy for refugees despite limited resources,” Alkebeh stated, expressing appreciation for the South Sudanese government’s dedication to providing security and assistance to displaced populations.
Medical staff at Renk County Hospital have expressed significant appreciation for the facility expansion, highlighting how the improvements address previous overcrowding issues and the critical shortage of operating room capacity. The enhanced infrastructure significantly improves both patient care delivery and working conditions for healthcare professionals operating under challenging circumstances
Despite the significant improvements, healthcare challenges persist across South Sudan as the country’s healthcare system remains underfunded.
