Kajo-Keji County Medical Director Raises Concern Over MSF Exit Plan

(KAJO-KEJI COUNTY) – Health authorities in South Sudan’s Kajo-Keji County are raising alarm over an exit plan by their only major medical partner MSF, which intends to close its operations in the area at the end of October this year.

According to Kajo-Keji County Hospital Director Sekwat Savior, the hospital administration has been briefed on the partner’s withdrawal plan amid growing demand for health services across the county.

Sekwat noted that the MSF-supported facility is the only well-equipped hospital and serves as the sole referral center for both host community members and returnees from neighboring Uganda.

He warned that the withdrawal of supporting partners like MSF could negatively affect the health and well-being of the local population.

“My biggest worry is that if they leave by 31st October 2026, what are we going to do if no other partner comes in? If there is another partner coming, they should arrive before MSF withdraws from the county. There is definitely going to be a big challenge for our mothers and children—how will they survive? This is the only secondary hospital in the county.”

Sekwat is now calling on the state government and health partners to develop an advance takeover plan ahead of MSF’s full withdrawal from the county.

“My call to the government is that MSF, which has been providing health services in the county, is leaving. The government should look into this issue and ensure that another partner is sent to the ground. If there are partners coming, the hospital already has complete structures and capable human resources—what is needed is the continuous operation of the facility.”

Kajo-Keji County is among the areas that were hardest hit by the outbreak of conflict in 2016.