South Sudanese need 'urgent' medical help

Staff at Bunj Hospital are working long hours seven days a week to cope with demand

Thousands of refugees in South Sudan need urgent medical help, says Samaritan's Purse.

The charity says there is "overwhelming demand" to treat thousands of patients in Maban County.

The region is home to more than 200,000 people, including over 110,000 refugees.

Conditions are "desperate", Samaritan's Purse reports.

The charity is appealing for funds to expand Bunj Hospital. It is the only medical centre in Maban County and was recently expanded to include a new ward and operating theatre.

Now there are urgent plans to expand the hospital further in order to treat thousands more patients.

Staff reporting working all day, seven days a week, and being "overwhelmed" by the demand.

"The hospital is beyond maximum capacity every day," said Samaritan's Purse UK's Head of Programmes and Projects, Chris Blackham, who just returned from visiting their work in South Sudan.

"They have plans to construct and add new facilities to expand the services offered to those in need – an x-ray ward, a further surgical theatre, a paediatric ward, a tuberculosis in-patient ward and another women's ward.

"These facilities will enable staff to provide life-changing treatment for another 175 people every week."

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.