Dozens of armed men reportedly entered the hospital and MSF office, threatening staff and taking medical supplies and equipment.
By Aguok Chok
The Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it has shut down its hospital in Ulang, Upper Nile State, after an armed group stormed the facility and looted vital medical supplies.
The incident, which took place yesterday (on Sunday), could likely leave thousands of people without access to critical healthcare.
“We are outraged by the attack on our hospital and the threats against our medical staff in Ulang,” said Zakariya Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan.
“This facility has been a lifeline for the community at a time of escalating violence and an active cholera outbreak. Such attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers are completely unacceptable.”
Dozens of armed men reportedly entered the hospital and MSF office, threatening staff and taking medical supplies and equipment.
As a result, all medical services have been suspended. The hospital was the only functioning health facility in the area, offering essential services including trauma care, maternity and paediatric care, according to the organization.
On the night before the attack, patients began fleeing the hospital in fear as violence approached Ulang town. Over 100 patients had been receiving treatment at the time. Although some stayed as long as possible, the arrival of armed men forced everyone to flee.
While no MSF staff were injured, the organization expressed serious concerns for the safety of its teams and patients.
“The safety of our staff and patients is our foremost priority. We are taking all necessary measures to evacuate our teams as we fear further escalation of violence,” Mwatia said.
“This unacceptable act of violence shows a complete disregard for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law, and it has directly affected our ability to provide care at a time when it is most urgently needed.”
This is not the first time MSF has faced violence in the area. In January 2025, armed men attacked two marked MSF boats carrying six staff members. That incident forced MSF to halt outreach services in the region.
MSF has been operating in Ulang since 2018, running a 60-bed hospital and a network of decentralized healthcare services.
In 2024, the team conducted over 10,000 outpatient consultations, admitted 3,284 patients, and assisted 650 maternal deliveries.
The closure of the hospital is a massive setback for healthcare in the area. More than 800 patients living with HIV, TB, and other chronic diseases have now lost access to their treatment. The suspension of services has also disrupted MSF’s response to the ongoing cholera outbreak.
“MSF remains committed to providing impartial, lifesaving care wherever it is needed, but the safety of patients and health workers must be guaranteed,” Mwatia emphasized.
MSF continues to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of medical staff, facilities, and civilians.
“This facility has been a lifeline for the community at a time of escalating violence and an active cholera outbreak,” said Zakariya Mwatia, MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan.