MSF provides medical aid after deadly clashes in Abyei

By Julius N. Uma

March 4, 2011 (JUBA) — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organisation, on Friday expressed deep concern over the plight of thousands of the population displaced from fighting in Sudan’s oil-producing region of Abyei.

The latest outbreak of violence, which occurred 20 km north of Abyei town, has already displaced tens of thousands of the population, the majority of whom fled the disputed oil area.

In a statement issued on Friday, the medical humanitarian group says it remains concerned about the possibility of reaching and impartially treating all patients caught up in the sudden melee.

On Wednesday, an MSF hospital in Agok, located 40 km south of Abyei, received 21 wounded patients. All the patients had sustained gunshot wounds, and three required surgery.

However, as part of efforts to address the situation, the MSF team in Abyei reportedly made a donation of drugs and equipments to the Ministry of Health hospital in Abyei, to enable them treat wounded patients.

With the fate of some wounded patients, particularly those north of Abyei, who are reportedly in dire need of medical care, MSF says it has embarked on discussions with authorities to provide assistance to people in the area.

“MSF is an independent and neutral medical organisation and reiterates its objective to reach all patients and provide them care in complete impartiality” said Bruno Jochum, MSF’s Director of Operations.

He added, “It is imperative that medical assistance can be provided to all affected by the latest surge in violence.”

The international medical organization, which has been operating in Abyei since 2006, has also set up mobile teams in Agok and Abyei to conduct assessments necessary for immediate intervention from the organization’s health personnel.

Emanuel Roussier, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan told Sudan Tribune by phone on Friday that the organization remains committed to its impartial mandate of providing essential services to the population in need.

“At the moment, health care is very difficult in Abyei. MSF is currently providing primary healthcare services in the area, including antenatal care and treatment for malnutrition,” Roussier said.

MSF has been providing emergency medical humanitarian assistance in Sudan since 1979. The organization currently runs 27 projects across 13 states of country, providing 31,199 outpatient consultations in 2010 alone.

(ST).