By Philip Buda Ladu
Medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reassured Bentiu IDPs of not leaving the state.
The IDPS at Bentiu in Unity State were protesting against planned changes to medical service provision.
In a peaceful protest on Monday, the IDPs opposed transition of MSF secondary hospital at the camp to State hospital after 11 years of operation.
However, MSF stated that the changes are designed to strengthen local healthcare and ensure long-term sustainability.
The IDPs said during the protest that the exit of MSF would heighten their suffering from diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB.
“They should not leave the Bentiu IDP camp secondary hospital because of the different diseases that they treat,” said Tap and another resident, Veronica Nyakieh Kuol echoed the same sentiments opposing the MSF transition from the camp.
The Ministry of Health (MoF) had reportedly agreed to the transition of MSF Holland from the Bentiu camp secondary hospital to the State hospital.
On Wednesday, MSF issued a statement clarifying its plans to shift primary and secondary healthcare services from the IDP camp facility to Bentiu State Hospital (BSH) by the end of 2025.
This transition, the organization explained, is a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Health (MoH) aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in Unity State.
“We understand that change can create uncertainty,” stated James Mutharia, MSF project coordinator for the Bentiu hospital transition.
“We appreciate the feedback we have received… and we would like to reiterate that this transition is designed to strengthen and maintain comprehensive healthcare services through a partnership with the MoH.”
Meanwhile, the medical charity organization emphasized its commitment to meeting the medical needs of both IDPs and the wider Bentiu community while maintaining the flexibility to respond to recurring emergencies like floods and disease outbreaks.
MSF highlighted the successful launch of a new, rehabilitated pediatric unit at Bentiu State Hospital in October 2024 as the first phase of the transition.
The facility, with a 48-bed capacity, has already treated 605 children in partnership with the MoH, providing vital outpatient and inpatient services for illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and sepsis, MSF stated.
According to the medical charity, the gradual transfer of additional services, including maternity, surgical, and emergency care, is planned with a focus on minimizing disruption to patient care.
However, MSF said it will maintain sexual and reproductive health services, along with health promotion and community engagement activities, within the Bentiu IDP camp even after the transition is complete.
The Doctors without Borders reiterated that all services it provides and supports will remain free of charge.
MSF pledged to continue engaging with the community, providing regular updates, and listening to feedback throughout the transition process.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the IDP community, MSF stressed that the shift is in the best interest of long-term healthcare improvement in the region.