South Sudan: Doctors Without Borders forced to close Lankien hospital after 31 years

The destruction of our hospital in Lankien is not an isolated incident, but part of a wider and deeply worrying trend of violence against healthcare in South Sudan. Since the start of 2025, Doctors Without Borders facilities and staff have been affected by at least 12 attacks and violent events. These repeated incidents have forced the closure of four hospitals — Ulang, Old Fangak, Akobo, and now Lankien — and left hundreds of thousands of people without access to medical care. As usual, it is people who are paying a heavy price for attacks on healthcare.

“Attacks on medical facilities, healthcare workers, and civilians are unacceptable and must stop,” says Badshah. “Government and opposition forces, as well as all other armed groups, must take full responsibility for their actions. They must also prevent attacks on medical personnel and facilities and on civilians, and respect international humanitarian law and its principles, including distinction and proportionality,” adds Badshah.

Doctors Without Borders calls on the South Sudanese authorities to provide transparent explanations, ensure accountability, and take concrete measures to protect healthcare and humanitarian operations.
 

Doctors Without Borders' activities in Lankien

Doctors Without Borders had worked in Lankien since 1995, initially responding to kala azar, a neglected tropical disease. Over the years, our activities were gradually expanded, and the hospital became the only advanced level healthcare facility in the region. Before its destruction, around 250,000 people relied on the hospital for lifesaving care. With its permanent closure, communities in the region are now left without medical services and exposed to preventable deaths.