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Reaching rural communities with medical services in South Sudan
Increasing availability and access to the health care system in South Sudan has proved to be a challenging task for government organizations and the international community. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), only 25% of the population of South Sudan has regular access to health facilities.
Seventy percent of deaths in South Sudan are caused by curable diseases such as malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. The country also has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. Decades of armed conflict that ended with the creation of the world's youngest nation in 2011 and the conflict that erupted two years after independence, have significantly affected the development of the country. This includes national health care services that are presently supported heavily by international donors and organizations.
Organizations supporting health services face difficulties in terms of access, security, and logistical challenges, to mention a few problems, aggravated by the armed conflict. In 2016, 100 organizations were working in the health sector in the country, by mid-2018, no more than 20 are present.
Today, Women Relief Organisation works in primary health care supporting 7 clinics in South Sudan after being forced to close three clinics in June as a consequence of armed clashes, leaving people in the surrounding area without medical services. With its Primary Health Care program, WRO seeks to reach people who could die due to common and treatable diseases. Women Relief Organisation supplies medicines and equipment and renovates medical facilities where needed.
Training of health workers is also central to Women Relief Organisation approach. This includes a nine month training program for community health workers giving them the knowhow to run a small health facility under the supervision of the County. This training ensures that the personnel are capable of carrying out diagnosis and treatment of basic diseases. The supported primary health care clinics serve as a catalyst for community health support with the goal of increasing the resilience of local communities towards health and to influence health behavior. At the same time, Women Relief Organisation also trains midwives in an effort to reduce maternal and child mortality and provides them with delivery kits.
Referring patients from a primary health care clinic to a County hospital is challenging as access to secondary hospital services is a major problem. It is estimated that only 10% of people can reach a hospital within 24 hours. In emergency cases like an obstructed labor, a Caesarean section needs to be performed within three hours to avoid irrevocable harm to baby and mother. The problem of access is aggravated by poor quality roads which make travelling long and arduous.
Women Relief Organisation in South Sudan also supports four hospitals to provide emergency surgery for weapon wounded, offers mental health and psychosocial support, and provides nutritional supplement in 6 detention facilities. The WRO also evacuates people wounded in armed violence by air from remote places to the hospitals it supports. In addition, two Physical Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Centers in Juba and Torit provide treatment and artificial limbs (upper and lower) to people with disabilities. Since January 2018, the Women Relief Organisation performed 316 air medical evacuations.
In South Sudan, clinics are often forced to close because of fighting, while others have been completely destroyed or looted. "Health facilities and personnel must be respected. Attacks on health care workers and destruction or looting of health structures leaves thousands of people without access to vital health services. Starting all over again every time a hospital is rendered inoperable takes resources that can be used to build more hospitals.
Highlights of our work in South Sudan between January and June 2018.
Distributed monthly household food rations to 2,230 people improved access to safe drinking water to 2,730 people Evacuated 216 people wounded in armed confrontations Provided antenatal consultations for 6,100 women and safe deliveries for 1,200 women Improved living conditions for 2,100 detainees in six Central Prisons Facilitated 29,200 phone calls between family members separated by the conflict.
We encourage to support Women Relief Organisation South Sudan to allow us implements our programs.
Increasing availability and access to the health care system in South Sudan has proved to be a challenging task for government organizations and the international community. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), only 25% of the population of South Sudan has regular access to health facilities.
Seventy percent of deaths in South Sudan are caused by curable diseases such as malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. The country also has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. Decades of armed conflict that ended with the creation of the world's youngest nation in 2011 and the conflict that erupted two years after independence, have significantly affected the development of the country. This includes national health care services that are presently supported heavily by international donors and organizations.
Organizations supporting health services face difficulties in terms of access, security, and logistical challenges, to mention a few problems, aggravated by the armed conflict. In 2016, 100 organizations were working in the health sector in the country, by mid-2018, no more than 20 are present.
Today, Women Relief Organisation works in primary health care supporting 7 clinics in South Sudan after being forced to close three clinics in June as a consequence of armed clashes, leaving people in the surrounding area without medical services. With its Primary Health Care program, WRO seeks to reach people who could die due to common and treatable diseases. Women Relief Organisation supplies medicines and equipment and renovates medical facilities where needed.
Training of health workers is also central to Women Relief Organisation approach. This includes a nine month training program for community health workers giving them the knowhow to run a small health facility under the supervision of the County. This training ensures that the personnel are capable of carrying out diagnosis and treatment of basic diseases. The supported primary health care clinics serve as a catalyst for community health support with the goal of increasing the resilience of local communities towards health and to influence health behavior. At the same time, Women Relief Organisation also trains midwives in an effort to reduce maternal and child mortality and provides them with delivery kits.
Referring patients from a primary health care clinic to a County hospital is challenging as access to secondary hospital services is a major problem. It is estimated that only 10% of people can reach a hospital within 24 hours. In emergency cases like an obstructed labor, a Caesarean section needs to be performed within three hours to avoid irrevocable harm to baby and mother. The problem of access is aggravated by poor quality roads which make travelling long and arduous.
Women Relief Organisation in South Sudan also supports four hospitals to provide emergency surgery for weapon wounded, offers mental health and psychosocial support, and provides nutritional supplement in 6 detention facilities. The WRO also evacuates people wounded in armed violence by air from remote places to the hospitals it supports. In addition, two Physical Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Centers in Juba and Torit provide treatment and artificial limbs (upper and lower) to people with disabilities. Since January 2018, the Women Relief Organisation performed 316 air medical evacuations.
In South Sudan, clinics are often forced to close because of fighting, while others have been completely destroyed or looted. "Health facilities and personnel must be respected. Attacks on health care workers and destruction or looting of health structures leaves thousands of people without access to vital health services. Starting all over again every time a hospital is rendered inoperable takes resources that can be used to build more hospitals.
Highlights of our work in South Sudan between January and June 2018.
Distributed monthly household food rations to 2,230 people improved access to safe drinking water to 2,730 people Evacuated 216 people wounded in armed confrontations Provided antenatal consultations for 6,100 women and safe deliveries for 1,200 women Improved living conditions for 2,100 detainees in six Central Prisons Facilitated 29,200 phone calls between family members separated by the conflict.
We encourage to support Women Relief Organisation South Sudan to allow us implements our programs.
