MSF South Sudan: Access restrictions prevent lifesaving medical care in Jonglei State

16 January 2026 – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) warns that ongoing restrictions on humanitarian movements in parts of Jonglei State, South Sudan, are directly preventing lifesaving referrals of at least 20 critically-ill patients in need of urgent specialised care, placing their lives at immediate risk. Every delay in referral increases the likelihood of death or permanent disability for patients who cannot be treated locally. Since 30 December 2025, these access restrictions significantly constrained the delivery of essential healthcare services to conflict-affected communities and made it impossible for necessary medical supplies to reach MSF hospital in Lankien and primary healthcare centre in Pieri.

The affected areas are experiencing increased humanitarian needs due to ongoing conflict and displacements, while the interruption of health services is increasing risks for vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and people living with chronic or life-threatening conditions.

“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 Operations Manager. “Patient referrals are not optional or administrative procedures; they are lifesaving interventions. MSF is requesting unhindered humanitarian access, including predictable and regular flights to Jonglei State, to allow timely referrals for all critically ill patients, the delivery of essential medical supplies and staff rotations."

As of mid-January 2026, humanitarian organisations working in South Sudan have been unable to secure sustained and predictable access to parts of the Jonglei State. The absence of humanitarian presence is contributing to deteriorating health conditions and increasing preventable morbidity and mortality.

“Health facilities supported by MSF are already facing critical service disruptions: In Lankien and Pieri, MSF is now able to offer only lifesaving and emergency care. Before the access constraints, MSF was receiving 1000 patients in Lankien, and 700 in Pieri, on a weekly basis. To better illustrate the current situation, the total catchment area for both facilities is around two-hundred and fifty thousand people," added Badshah.

Insecurity has also led to population displacement, with an unknown number of people fleeing to remote areas to avoid airstrikes and fighting. While some have returned, many, particularly women and children, remain displaced and without access to basic healthcare. Continued access constraints are likely to exacerbate displacement, weaken community coping mechanisms, and further strain limited local health capacity. MSF was forced to evacuate some of the staff members from Lankien hospital on 31 December. The hospital currently offers only lifesaving and emergency care.

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Note to Editors: MSF has been present in what is today South Sudan since 1983 and remains one of the largest medical humanitarian actors in the country, currently operating in six states and two administrative areas. In 2025, MSF provided more than 830,000 outpatient consultations, inpatient care for over 93,000 patients, including 12,000 surgeries, screened 107,000 children for malnutrition, and performed regular critical referrals across the country. Sustained and predictable humanitarian access is essential to maintain lifesaving services and to prevent further deterioration of health outcomes for communities in Jonglei State.