Conflict overwhelms South Sudan healthcare

by ANYANG GARANG
JUBA, (CAJ News) – THE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported a sharp rise in the number of wounded people evacuated across South Sudan, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis as renewed conflict stretches the country’s already fragile healthcare system.

The humanitarian organisation said it evacuated 266 wounded patients during the first six months of 2026, representing an increase of more than 50 percent compared with the corresponding period last year.

The increase follows an escalation in fighting since late 2025, which has displaced thousands of families, disrupted livelihoods and further restricted access to essential healthcare services. The violence has resulted in mounting casualties, placing unprecedented pressure on trauma facilities already struggling with limited resources.

As South Sudan marks 15 years of independence, humanitarian agencies warn that the country is facing a convergence of crises driven by conflict, insecurity, climate-related disasters and the continued arrival of people fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan. Declining international funding has further weakened the capacity of health facilities to respond to growing needs.

“Conflict is not getting any better and the humanitarian needs are also on the rise,” said Rose Ochieng, ICRC Health Coordinator in South Sudan.

“This is further complicated by the fact that funding has declined. Service provision at all levels of healthcare has been reduced, placing enormous strain on hospitals.”

Since 2014, the ICRC has evacuated more than 5 000 patients requiring emergency surgical treatment. Most are transported by air from remote parts of the country to Juba Military Hospital, one of South Sudan’s principal trauma referral centres.

The hospital has experienced a significant increase in demand, with surgical procedures during the first half of this year rising by nearly 30 percent compared with the same period in 2025. The ICRC-supported surgical department is operating beyond its intended capacity.

Among those receiving treatment is Ngor Gatluak, who was airlifted from Agany in Jonglei State after being shot during fighting.

“There is no hospital in our area, so I was taken from Agany for treatment and later referred here. I am feeling much better now and hope to return home soon,” he said.

The ICRC noted that access to emergency medical care remains severely limited in many conflict-affected regions, where poor roads, insecurity and weak communications hamper the evacuation of the wounded.

The organisation urged all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law by protecting healthcare workers and medical facilities, facilitating the evacuation of the wounded and ensuring humanitarian agencies have safe and unhindered access to civilians requiring life-saving assistance.

– CAJ News