Reaching the Unreached: Challenges and Experiences in South Sudan
- Author Balbir Singh Deswal
- Co-Author Rajendra Pal Singh, Dheeraj Kumar, Dronacharya Routh, Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Binu Sekhar, Ashim Sud
- DOI
- Country : India
- Subject : Medical sciences
Keywords : South Sudan, health policy, health indicators, communicable diseases
Abstract
South Sudan became the youngest nation of the world on 09 July 2011. This study aimed to introspect the challenges being faced in delivery of health services and suggest possible measures to ensure an adequate, equitable and accessible delivery of health services. It is based on personal experience of all the authors gained while serving under United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Following independence the continued conflict has led to decline in economy and further dilapidation of health infrastructure. It has some of the worst health outcome indicators like maternal mortality rate of 789 out of every 100 000 live births, which is highest in the world. Communicable diseases mainly malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea in children under the age of five years, continues to be a cause of major public health problem and top most cause of death. This has been attributed to poor access to health services and low emphasis and demand for preventive services because of lack of awareness.
‘The Health Policy 2016-25’, a community driven health system, has been envisaged by GoSS after exhaustive consultation at every administrative level, health partners, NGOs, technical and political personalities and special interest groups. Government has shown strong will to strengthen the infrastructure and human resources to provide Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services (BPHNS) to every citizen of country.
The health system needs a major resuscitation, in addition to supporting and developing health training institutions, improving the recruitment, retention and training of health staff, task shifting, and providing the enabling environment.
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