(UROR COUNTY) – Doctors Without Borders has reported that movement limits in Jonglei State are blocking the referral of at least 20 critically ill patients. These patients require urgent specialist treatment that is unavailable in their current location. The medical group stated that delays in moving these individuals significantly increase the risk of death or permanent disability. Since 30 December 2025, these restrictions have hindered the transport of medical supplies to the hospital in Lankien and the health centre in Pieri.
The situation is affecting a large population as conflict and displacement grow in the region. Humanitarian organisations have found it difficult to reach vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women. In Lankien and Pieri, medical teams are now only able to provide emergency care. Before these limits were put in place, the facilities served 1,700 patients every week. The total area covered by these two health centres includes approximately 250,000 people who now have limited access to full medical services.
Gul Badshah, the operations manager for the medical group, stated that patient referrals are essential interventions to save lives rather than just paperwork. He called for regular and predictable flights to Jonglei State to allow for the movement of sick patients and the delivery of medicines. The organisation also noted that staff rotations have been disrupted by the lack of access. On 31 December, some staff had to be moved out of Lankien due to safety concerns.
The ongoing insecurity has forced many people to leave their homes and seek safety in remote areas. While some have started to return, many women and children remain displaced without basic health support. Experts warn that if these access issues continue, the health of the community will decline further and more people will die from preventable causes. The medical group has worked in the region since 1983 and currently provides nearly 830,000 consultations across the country annually.
The cost of maintaining these large scale health operations is high. The medical group remains one of the largest providers of healthcare in the country.
