The maternal death rates are still high in South Sudan and the country needs to do more to curb them.
UNFPA, UN Population Fund deputy executive director to South Sudan Kate Gilmore said the country has done little progress in dealing with its very high maternal mortality rates.She explained that South Sudan inherited the situation due to war and underinvestment in health.
Ms Gilmore added that South Sudan will not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goal which calls for a cut in the maternal mortality rates by 75 percent.
She explained that by 2015 South Sudan should have 500 women dying for every 100,000 births instead of today’s over 2,000 deaths.
Ms Gilmore said although there has been some change, it has been very slow.
She revealed that new surveys are underway to know the exact figures of maternal mortality in South Sudan.
Ms Gilmore said the current economic situation due to the oil shutdown may worsen the situation.
She called on the Government to stick to its priorities, including health among other vital issues.