rki.news

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has expressed deep concern after a staff member from South Sudan’s Ministry of Health was abducted from an MSF ambulance in Morobo County. The incident occurred on July 25 and the staff member was released the next day.

According to MSF, the staffer was escorting patients who had been treated in Yei and were returning home. Armed individuals stopped the ambulance, forced the health worker out of the vehicle, and took her away. The driver, other staff, and patients were allowed to continue their journey.

“This is not just an attack on one person, but on the entire healthcare system that serves the most vulnerable,” said Ferdinand Atte, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan.

This marks the fourth major security incident affecting MSF teams in just seven months. The group warned that repeated threats and violence not only endanger staff and patients, but also disrupt essential healthcare for communities already facing serious hardships.

MSF has worked in South Sudan for more than 40 years, providing care during armed conflict, floods, and disease outbreaks. Despite the growing risks, the organization continues its work to deliver medical aid to those in need.

Due to the recent violence, MSF has been forced to shut down two hospitals in Yei and Morobo, which has further limited access to care for local communities.

MSF has urged all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to respect and protect healthcare workers, patients, and medical facilities. The organization also called for safe access to communities in need of humanitarian and medical support.

“No one providing healthcare should have to fear for their life,” MSF said, stressing that violence against health workers must stop to ensure basic care reaches those who need it most.