United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and its partners, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Kingdom have released data on the maternal mortality rate in South Sudan.
The consortium indicated that the country remains the highest with more than 1,150 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The rate is due to infection, low perception of risk regarding childbirth, and social norms that prevent many mothers from using skilled birth attendants.
USAID Mission Director, Kate Crawford says, the situation for mothers’ children in South Sudan does not reflect positive global trends.
“Yet unfortunately, the situation for mothers and children in South Sudan does not reflect positive global trends and the situation in this country remains exceptionally dire for women and girls.”
Kate adds that the high rates of gender-based violence, and lack of access to quality health care continue to harm women, children, and their communities.
“The best predictor of a family’s health is the health and education of the mother. The persistently low levels of female literacy, the high rates of gender-based violence, and the lack of access to quality health care continue to harm women, the children, and their communities.”
She says every mother and child deserves the chance to survive and thrive.
The UN children’s Agency UNICEF’s deputy representative in South Sudan, Jesper Moller says, progress on maternal mortality continues to be slow in South Sudan.
He highlighted that 5 million under the age of 5 years children die each year globally.
He added that nearly half of that new-borns are mostly dying from preventable cases, around the world and maternal mortality rates continue to increase in some parts of the world.
Moller says South Sudan is one of the highest rates of maternal mortality with more than 11,050 mothers per 100,000 live birth dying due to pregnancy-related causes.
“Additionally more than 11,050 mothers per 100,000 live birth die due to pregnancy-related causes which is one of the highest rates in the world.”
He regrets poverty, clement change, and conflict contribute to the alarming maternal mortality rates in South Sudan.
He adds that UNICEF and its partners are committed to continuing to support the government of South Sudan to end maternal mortality in the country.
The minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and acting minister of health Aya Benjamin Libo Warill also says South Sudan remains on the top of the world in terms of maternal death.
“South Sudan remains on the top of the world in terms of maternal death estimated at 1,150 per 100,000 per live birth. This high maternal mortality is due to easily preventable and treatable causes which include infections and obstructed labor among other top causes.”
Hon. Aya regrets the colter of early marriages citing that 28 percent of those giving birth are under the age of 14.
Ministry of Health in South Sudan is doing its best to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes stipulated in the national health sector policy strategy, major obstacles remain in its phase, “Aya states.”
The minister appreciates UNICEF and its partners for the support they are giving to the government of South Sudan in the health sector and education for children.
The officials made their remarks on Thursday during the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the global Maternal and Child survival call to Action at UNICEF Hall in Juba.