Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has completed the transition of its healthcare services to the Bentiu State Hospital (BSH).
The transition is meant to mark a significant step toward strengthening the local health system and promoting sustainability.
For over a decade, MSF had operated a standalone secondary care hospital within the Bentiu camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The shift, which began in July 2024 and was finalized in June 2025, integrates MSF’s services into the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) framework.
In a press statement extended to the Nile Witness today MSF said that this move aims to bolster the MoH’s capacity to deliver comprehensive care to both the IDP population and the surrounding community.
Emmanuel Omale, MSF Project Coordinator for Bentiu, emphasized that the transition creates a “strong foundation for sustainable healthcare.
He noted that the collaboration will enhance capacity through training and expand access to care for a wider population.
Since the beginning of 2025, MSF teams have already conducted over 21,698 consultations at BSH, including 4,036 in the Emergency Room and 981 surgical procedures.
Simon Puot, the Medical Director of Bentiu State Hospital, expressed optimism, calling the transition a “significant milestone for our community.”
He highlighted notable improvements in hospital infrastructure, an increase in skilled staff, and a meaningful decline in mortality rates, which he attributed to the availability of necessary resources and staff.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. The medical charity organization noted that the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) situation in the Bentiu IDP camp is still dire.
A reduction in humanitarian support due to funding cuts has strained health infrastructure, impacting sanitation facilities and clean water provision.
MSF is now calling for renewed engagement from humanitarian and development organizations to address these critical gaps.
