A training programme on emergency obstetric and newborn care assessment data collection kicked off today in Juba eyeing the reduction of maternal deaths in South Sudan.
UNFPA, the United Nation Population Fund, Midwifery Specialist Gillian Garnett told CRN that a USA organisation called Averting Maternal Death and Disability is in Juba to train people how to collect the data so that it is accurate.She said a new assessment on maternal health care will be conducted in the ten states of South Sudan and the training will be done in three zones.
This week the training takes place in Juba for data collectors from the three states of Greater Equatoria.
Ms Garnett said after the training, the officials will collect and analyze data to see how to improve and strengthen planned maternal health care in the country.
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Assistant Clinical Professor Koye Oyerinde said to reduce maternal and newborn mortality it is necessary to know which kind of emergency health care pregnant women can access.
He added that his university supports improved emergency health care for women who are in labour to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
Professor Oyerinde added that the data collection process will help to develop a baseline of what is available to women who are pregnant in terms of health facilities, equipment and trained staff.
Ms Garnett said UNFPA is working closely with the ministries of health at state level to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in South Sudan that are one of the highest in the world.