MSF is leaving the CHUC

By Fanta DEMBA | LAMINE MEDIA Translated into English by Isabella Luisa CAPELLI l LAMINE MÉDIA

(Bangui, 19 May 2026 | LAMINE MEDIA) MSF, which has been present in the country since 1997 and at the maternity ward of the Bangui Community University Hospital (CHUC) since 2022, says that the project is coming to the end of its cycle (a polite way of saying they are leaving). A phased withdrawal will begin on 1 June 2026. Admittedly, MSF will continue to support certain maternal health activities at other levels of the healthcare system, but it will no longer be as it was before: even though they say: “We remain committed, alongside the Ministry of Health and Population (MSP), to meeting the medical needs of the Central African population.” However, MSF has assisted the CHUC in the care of pregnant women and their babies in Bangui. This collaboration has contributed to improving the quality of care, notably through the rehabilitation of healthcare infrastructure, the construction and establishment of the neonatal unit, the strengthening of the referral service, the development of a skills transfer programme, and the provision of technical support and medical equipment and supplies. The teams have treated over 28,000 patients, cared for more than 6,500 newborns in the neonatal unit, and delivered over 21,000 babies and performed nearly 5,000 surgical procedures. But all this is coming to an end. According to Jean-Michel Van Laere, MSF Country Coordinator in the Central African Republic: “The Ministry of Health and MSF are working together on a withdrawal plan to ensure a smooth transition that will allow for continuity of care.” MSF’s withdrawal from the CHUC maternity ward is scheduled to be completed by early August 2026 Even though they are withdrawing from the maternity ward, MSF will continue its support for the internal medicine department, which has been in place since 2019 to treat people with HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases.

To contact them: Tel: 75427685 / 75067233 / 72121256 Email: msf-bangui-comm-man@msf.org

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and GB)

Date: 19 May 2026

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