Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF, said Friday that restrictions on humanitarian movement in parts of Jonglei state are preventing the referral of at least 20 critically ill patients in need of urgent specialized care, putting their lives at immediate risk.
The medical charity said the access constraints, in place since Dec. 30, 2025, have severely limited the delivery of essential health services to conflict-affected communities and blocked medical supplies from reaching its hospital in Lankien and a primary health care center in Pieri.
“Lives are being put at risk every day because critically ill patients cannot be referred for the care they urgently need,” said Gul Badshah, MSF’s operations manager. “Patient referrals are lifesaving interventions, not administrative procedures.”
MSF said the affected areas are facing rising humanitarian needs due to ongoing conflict and displacement, while interruptions in health services are increasing risks for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and people with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
As of mid-January, humanitarian organizations have been unable to secure sustained and predictable access to parts of Jonglei, MSF said. The lack of access has contributed to worsening health conditions and an increase in preventable illness and deaths.
MSF said its facilities in Lankien and Pieri are now limited to providing only lifesaving and emergency care. Before the restrictions, the organization treated about 1,000 patients a week in Lankien and 700 in Pieri. The two facilities serve a combined catchment area of roughly 250,000 people.
Insecurity caused by clashes between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO in northern Jonglei state has also triggered population displacement, with an unknown number of people fleeing to remote areas to escape fighting and reported airstrikes, MSF said. While some residents have returned, many — particularly women and children — remain displaced and without access to basic health care.
MSF said it evacuated some staff from Lankien hospital on Dec. 31, further limiting services. Continued access constraints could worsen displacement, weaken community coping mechanisms and place additional strain on already limited local health capacity.
The organization called for unhindered humanitarian access, including predictable and regular flights to Jonglei, to allow timely patient referrals, delivery of medical supplies and staff rotations.
MSF has operated in South Sudan since 1983 and is one of the country’s largest medical humanitarian providers. In 2025, the group said it conducted more than 830,000 outpatient consultations, treated over 93,000 inpatients, performed about 12,000 surgeries and screened more than 107,000 children for malnutrition nationwide.
MSF said sustained humanitarian access is essential to prevent further deterioration of health outcomes in Jonglei state.