MSF Warns of Malaria Medicine Shortages in South Sudan

(JUBA) – As South Sudan enters its peak malaria season, the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has issued an urgent call for the immediate delivery of life saving malaria medicines. The warning comes after nationwide stockouts that have left health facilities without essential drugs for the past three months.

MSF reported that some of its supported facilities have been without antimalarial drugs and other medical supplies since May, severely undermining efforts to prevent and treat malaria at a time when cases are surging with the rainy season.

Public health facilities in Kajokeji, Yei and Morobo in Central Equatoria State, Twic in Warrap State, Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and the Abyei Special Administrative Area are among those that have completely run out of malaria supplies. Facilities in Yei and Morobo have faced shortages since May, with insecurity further restricting access to what little care remains.

Between May and the end of July this year, MSF treated more than 44,000 patients in these areas. With the rains continuing, the organisation expects the numbers to rise sharply in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, UNICEF began distributing remaining malaria stock intended to cover 80 counties across all ten states. However, only 23 counties, mainly in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states, have so far received supplies. These deliveries are expected to last just one to two months and cannot substitute for a reliable national supply chain.

Dr. Sigrid Lamberg, MSF Head of Mission for South Sudan, said malaria remains a predictable seasonal emergency but supply chain failures put vulnerable groups at risk every year:

“This cannot be overlooked. We urge all actors involved in planning, procurement and delivery of malaria supplies to act now and restore the flow of essential medicines.”

She warned that the consequences of inaction would fall most heavily on children under five and pregnant women, who are at the highest risk of severe illness and death. Without adequate treatment, she added, the disease could overwhelm already fragile health services.

Malaria is the leading cause of sickness and death in South Sudan, accounting for around 30 per cent of deaths. According to the World Health Organization, cases are expected to reach 8.3 million in 2025 in a country of about 12 million people.

The risk of crisis is not new. In 2024, public health services nearly collapsed during the malaria peak. At Aweil State Hospital, up to 400 children a week were admitted with severe malaria in September, more than double the number of the year before. The hospital admitted an average of 43 children with severe malaria per day and carried out 14 blood transfusions daily, leaving the wards overflowing with critically ill patients. Some children were treated in corridors due to lack of space.

Dr. Lamberg concluded by calling on donors, partners and health authorities to secure timely funding and ensure delivery of medicines, diagnostic kits and supplies to priority areas.

“Urgent action is needed to prevent a repeat of last year’s deadly crisis,” she said.

Malaria Crisis in South Sudan