International medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has treated six patients with gun shot wounds following an attack in Nasir County, Upper Nile state, on Wednesday 17 April. The patients were brought to MSF’s hospital in Nasir town, one hour south of where the incident took place. MSF’s team has carried out six surgical interventions, with one severely wounded patient requiring major surgery. All patients are now in a stable condition.

“As a neutral, impartial medical organisation, MSF provides medical assistance to anyone who needs it, regardless of their ethnicity or from which community they come”, says Raphael Gorgeu, MSF Head of Mission. “Following this incident, it was possible for MSF to treat patients coming from both sides of the clashes due to the respect shown by local authorities, the Ministry of Health and the communities involved, for the neutrality and impartiality of our medical services and staff.”

On 18 April, an MSF team travelled with the County Health Department representative to the area where the incident took place to assess the needs of the population. No more wounded people were found and MSF will continue to monitor the area and assess any medical needs if, and when they arise.

In Nasir, MSF runs an 82 bed hospital offering primary and secondary healthcare, including surgery, emergency services, obstetric and paediatric care, treatment for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and treatment for malnutrition. In 2012 in Nasir, MSF carried out 65,505 outpatient consultations, admitted 2495 patients to hospital, performed 459 surgeries and assisted 751 deliveries. MSF is currently working with the local Ministry of Health to hand over outpatient services in Nasir and will continue providing secondary level healthcare at Nasir Hospital

File photo: MSF operating theatre in Leer, South Sudan (Olga Overbeek)