Jenn Warren

Photography: Save the Children: Maternal and Child Health

The world's youngest country, South Sudan gained independence three years ago. South Sudan has been devastated by decades of war in which 2 million people have died and 4 million have been forced to flee, and continue to face humanitarian crises. Currently, South Sudan is the scene of Africa's longest running civil war. 

Save the Children has been working in South Sudan since 2000 (prior to independence), implementing programmes in 9 of the country's 10 states. The new country has among the highest infant-mortality rates and the lowest education indicators in the world. 

Most families go without basic health care. There is little access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, fostering the spread of infectious diseases. Save the Children manages 61 primary health care facilities with local partners. The organisation's centres treat children with diarrhea, malaria and respiratory infections – which untreated can be life-threatening. In 2010, more than 111,000 children received health treatment at the facilities. 

Maternal health is supported through prenatal care, labor and delivery services and postnatal care services. Save the Children also offers preventive and public health programmes including immunisations, education, hygiene and sanitation. 

  • Wilma Silvan seeks medical care for her daughter, Nyibo, at the Save the Children-supported Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Western Equatoria, South Sudan. Nyibo, 7 months old, was badly burned over 30% of her body from an unattended pot of boiling water, a common injury in South Sudan where women are expected to complete household chores and cannot attend to all of the children properly. The Mvolo PHCC is a Government of South Sudan medical facility supported by Save the Children.
  • Mothers wait in line to receive an Ante-Natal Check up at the Save the Children-supported Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Western Equatoria, South Sudan. First time mothers receive a long lasting insecticide treated mosquito net (LLIN), Ferrous Iron tablets, Malaria prophylaxis and multivitamins. The Mvolo PHCC is a Government of South Sudan medical facility supported by Save the Children.
  • Midwife gives prenatal care at the Save the Children-sponsored Riwoko Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Kapoeta North, Eastern Equatoria. Save the Children also sponsors a number of smaller Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs), all managed and staffed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
  • Midwife Esther Minyala examines an expecting mother in the Ante-Natal Center of the Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC). The Mvolo PHCC is supported by Save the Children and managed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
  • First time mother Zeina Simon, 19, receives Ante-Natal Care at the Save the Children-supported Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Western Equatoria, South Sudan. First time mothers receive a long lasting insecticide treated mosquito net (LLIN), Ferrous Iron tablets, Malaria prophylaxis and multivitamins. The Mvolo PHCC is a Government of South Sudan medical facility supported by Save the Children.
  • MCH specialist Lucy Ndori examines an expecting mother in the Ante-Natal Center of the Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC). The Mvolo PHCC is supported by Save the Children and managed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
  • Midwife Esther Minyala comforts an expecting mother in the Save the Children-supported Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Western Equatoria, South Sudan. First time mothers receive a long lasting insecticide treated mosquito net (LLIN), Ferrous Iron tablets, Malaria prophylaxis and multivitamins. The Mvolo PHCC is a Government of South Sudan medical facility supported by Save the Children.
  • Mother and Child Health specialist at the Mvolo Primary Health Care Center (PHCC), Lucy Ndori, with her 9 month old son Abraham John. Lucy assists the midwives at the clinic with birthing and Ante-Natal Care at the PHCC. The Mvolo PHCC is supported by Save the Children and managed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
  • Dispensary at the Save the Children-sponsored Riwoko Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Kapoeta North, Eastern Equatoria. Save the Children also sponsors a number of smaller Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs), all managed and staffed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
  • Young mother Namana Lokeny brings her 4-month old son to the Save the Children-sponsored Riwoko Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Kapoeta North, Eastern Equatoria. Save the Children also sponsors a number of smaller Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs), all managed and staffed by the Government of South Sudan Ministry of Health.
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