Why your child is most likely to die of malaria, diarrhea
Children and pregnant women in South Sudan are at risk of contracting diarrhea, malaria and birth-related complications in the coming days, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has sounded the warning bells.
The Un agency further said that unless the US$30 million that is required for key services like healthcare services, is availed, upto a quarter a million pregnant women and their unborn babies might be affected by diseases.
This came after several humanitarian agencies cut funding to over 200 primary health care units in the country.
“Due to recent cuts in funding for health interventions, an estimated 220 primary health care units will no longer be supported beginning in April,” Sara Beysolow Nyanti, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan said in a statement seen by City Review.
UNMISS further said that upto nine state hospitals will also be affected by the austerity measures being taken due to lack of funding.
“Antenatal services to pregnant women will be affected by the discontinuation. Support for nine state hospitals will discontinue from August,” the statement warns,” added the statement.
Nyanti further warned that lack of funds will have cross-cutting consequences such as increased gender-based violence against women and girls, and a high likelihood of rising malnutrition in the country.
“Medical staff, essential medical supplies and community health activities will not be available to provide regular health services to 2.5 million populations,” she added.
According to Nyanti, the cut will also see close to close to 901,412 consultations services affected as well as the discontinuation of support to 2,114 safe deliveries (childbirth) and 59,221 vaccination for the young population.
“South Sudan remains one of the worst protection crises in the world. Without urgent funding of US$30 million, 1.3 million protection services for an estimated 900,000 people will not be provided. This will affect psychosocial support to more than 50,000 people, cash-based protection interventions to more than 150,000 people, protection monitoring for identification of the most vulnerable, including female-headed households, persons with disabilities, awareness-raising and peace-building activities.
“Thirty-four per cent of the overall target, or 30,676 vulnerable women and girls, will not have access to dignity kits that contain sanitary pads and protective equipment,” cautioned Nyanti.
She explained that fewer functional health facilities will have an impact on malaria prevention and treatment, routine immunization services, screening for tuberculosis and malnutrition, mental health and psychosocial services, and treatment of respiratory infection and diarrhoea.
“This will likely lead to increased mortality.”
UNMISS further stated that an estimated 1.9 million people will be deprived of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services. “Of these are 300,000 people in internal displacement camps Prepositioning of core relief items for some 700,000 projected flood-affected people will not be possible, 300,000 people will risk cholera in some areas, 582,000 children under five will be exposed to increased diarrheal disease and will be at risk of dying from severe malnutrition,” said Nyanti.