Bombing Devastates Last Health Facility in Jonglei State, South Sudan

A bombing incident in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, South Sudan destroyed the last functional health facility early Saturday morning. Helicopter gunships targeted the hospital’s pharmacy, annihilating medical supplies crucial for over 110,000 residents. Following the bombing, a drone strike on a local market resulted in at least seven fatalities and numerous injuries, highlighting the urgent threat to civilian life and health services in the region.

In a tragic development for healthcare in Jonglei State, South Sudan, the last operational health facility was devastated by a bombing incident early Saturday morning. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, confirmed that the facility, located in Old Fangak, suffered significant damage when helicopter gunships attacked at approximately 4:30 a.m., targeting the hospital’s pharmacy. The assault not only set the pharmacy ablaze but also effectively incapacitated the hospital by destroying critical medical supplies that served over 110,000 local residents.

The attack escalated shortly after, as a drone struck the Old Fangak market around 7 a.m., leaving at least seven people dead and injuring around 20. MSF’s Head of Mission in South Sudan, Mamman Mustapha, reported that the hospital had to receive approximately 20 wounded individuals by 8 a.m., including four in critical condition. He also noted that some MSF personnel and caregivers sustained injuries during the assault, and many patients fled the hospital in fear.

“The bombing of our hospital in Old Fangak has caused significant damage, including the complete destruction of the pharmacy, which was burned to the ground,” Mustapha stated. “This was where all our medical supplies were stored, severely compromising our ability to provide care. We strongly condemn this attack, which occurred despite the geolocation of all MSF structures being shared with all parties to the conflict.”

Currently, MSF is assessing the full extent of the destruction to determine how this will affect ongoing medical services in the community, already suffering from limited access to healthcare. The organization emphasized the urgent need for all parties in the conflict to respect civilian infrastructure, asserting, “Hospitals must never be targeted, and the lives of civilians must be safeguarded.”

This incident marks a worrying trend, as it is the second time in recent weeks that an MSF hospital has been attacked. Less than a month ago, on April 14, armed looters raided MSF’s facility in Ulang, Upper Nile State, further hindering healthcare access for that area’s population.

As the conflict in South Sudan continues to escalate, the bombing in Old Fangak poses a severe threat to the available medical services for thousands, with every attack further eroding the fragile healthcare system and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The bombing of the health facility in Old Fangak signifies a grievous blow to medical access in Jonglei State, exacerbating the healthcare struggles faced by the local population. With ongoing conflict and attacks on essential services, advocates stress the dire need for safeguarding civilian lives and health facilities. Further assessments will be needed to understand the full impact of this latest tragedy on healthcare availability in South Sudan.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke