(Adnkronos) – Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warns that ongoing restrictions on humanitarian movements in some areas of Jonglei state, South Sudan, are blocking the transfer of at least 20 critically ill patients who require urgent specialized care, putting their lives at risk. Any delay in transfer exacerbates the risk of death or permanent disability for patients who cannot be treated locally. Since December 30, 2025, these restrictions have significantly limited the provision of essential health services to conflict-affected communities and made it impossible to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to the MSF hospital in Lankien and the primary healthcare center in Pieri.
In conflict- and displacement-affected areas, humanitarian needs are increasing, while the disruption of health services raises risks for vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and people with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
“Every day, lives are put at risk because critically ill patients cannot be transferred to receive the urgent care they need,” says Gul Badshah, MSF’s head of operations in South Sudan. “Patient transfer is not an optional or administrative procedure, but a life-saving intervention. MSF calls for unhindered humanitarian access, including regular flights to Jonglei state, to allow for the timely transfer of all critically ill patients, the delivery of essential medical supplies, and staff rotation.”
To date, humanitarian organizations operating in South Sudan have been unable to ensure continuous and regular access to humanitarian assistance in some areas of Jonglei state. The absence of a humanitarian presence is contributing to the deterioration of health conditions and an increase in preventable morbidity and mortality.
“MSF-supported health facilities are already facing severe service disruptions: in Lankien and Pieri, we are only able to offer life-saving and emergency care. Before access restrictions, MSF received 1,000 patients in Lankien and 700 in Pieri every week. The two facilities serve a catchment area of approximately 250,000 people,” adds MSF’s Badshah.
Insecurity has also led to population displacement, with an unspecified number of people fleeing to remote areas to escape aerial bombardments and fighting. Some have returned, but many, particularly women and children, remain displaced and without access to basic healthcare. The persistence of access difficulties risks exacerbating the situation, weakening community response mechanisms, and further straining limited local health capacities. On December 31, MSF was forced to evacuate part of its staff from Lankien hospital, which is currently only able to offer life-saving and emergency care.
