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Following a demonstration in
Bentiu camp on Monday over the shift of its service location, Médecins Sans
Frontières (MSF) said they are not leaving Bentiu camp but strengthening health
services for sustainability reasons.
"In light of recent
demonstrations and concerns from the community in Bentiu regarding the
transition of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical services from Bentiu camp
for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Bentiu State Hospital (BSH), we would
like to clarify that while the organisation is shifting service location, we
are not leaving Bentiu; rather, our aim is to strengthen the local healthcare
system and ensure long-term sustainability,” said James Mutharia, MSF project
coordinator for the Bentiu hospital transition.
Mutharia said the new
collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) is part of MSF’s plan to
reposition all primary and secondary healthcare services from the Bentiu IDP
camp facility to BSH by the end of 2025.
“This repositioning of services
is intended to not only maintain but also enhance delivery of healthcare
services in Unity State, with MSF and the MoH collaborating to provide
continued medical treatment and support to all the communities,” he explained.
MSF said they understand that
change can create uncertainty, and they appreciate the feedback received from
the various stakeholders that they have met during the planning phase and now,
during the transition.
“We would like to reiterate
that this transition is designed to strengthen and maintain comprehensive
healthcare services through a partnership with the MoH, ensuring that we
continue to meet the medical needs of both IDPS and the people of Bentiu town and
its surroundings, while allowing MSF to remain flexible to respond swiftly to
recurring emergencies, including floods and disease outbreaks in Unity State,”
he adds.
Since the successful launch of
the new rehabilitated paediatric unit at Bentiu State Hospital on 31 October
2024, which was the first phase of the transition, MSF said they have admitted
and treated 605 children in partnership with MoH in the facility.
“With a capacity of 48 beds,
this new facility is fully operational and provides a vital range of outpatient
and inpatient services and treatment for illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia,
and sepsis.”
Mutharia said MSF will continue
with health care services with minimal disruption.
“However, MSF will maintain
services for sexual and reproductive health, as well as running health
promotion and community engagement activities in the Bentiu IDP camp even after
the transition is completed,” he noted.
He said all services provided
and supported by MSF will remain free of charge to ensure that access to
healthcare is maintained.
“We will continue to engage
with the community, provide updates, and listen to your feedback.”
