Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates in South Sudan
Thousands of expecting mothers and infants in South Sudan are facing a crisis. Low-income countries like South Sudan have tragically high maternal and infant mortality rates.
A mother with twin waits outside a clinic in South Sudan.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization and United Nations the infant mortality rate in South Sudan is 102 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the under-five mortality rate is 135 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality ratio is 2,054 per 100,000 live births, and girls are more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than finish primary school.
Decades of conflict have destroyed South Sudan’s infrastructure, leading to medical personnel shortages throughout the country. South Sudan has one physician per 65,574 population, and one midwife per 39,088 population.
Gynecology Ward at Juba Hospital, Juba, South Sudan
The lack of healthcare infrastructure has meant preventable health conditions continue to plague the country. With limited access to professional assistance and resources, death among pregnant and new mothers becomes far more likely.
Maternal mortality also increases the risk of child mortality. Orphaned children are more likely to fall into child labor. They also tend to have limited access to resources and education, preventing children from reaching their highest potential.
Poverty significantly increases maternal mortality risk factors. Only 7% of the population has access to sanitation resources, which further prevents safe births. Poverty also influences South Sudan’s high illiteracy rate of 88% among women, which limits awareness of healthy birth practices.
Nearly 75% of child deaths are due to preventable conditions. Communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases also lead to maternal and child mortality. The risk of tuberculosis is high at 146 cases per 100,000 people, and HIV/AIDS is at epidemic levels. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases also increase maternal mortality risk factors.
Bringing 21st Century Healthcare to South Sudan
There is something we can all do to help.
GEMS Development Foundation is sponsoring birthing and baby kits to provide much-needed medical supplies to ensure safe births and avoid infection during and after delivery.
A donation of just $65 goes toward a complete birthing kit, which includes critical medical supplies such as sterile gloves, cloth diapers, povidone-Iodine swab stick, and alcohol prep pads.
Birthing Kits = $65
Include sterile gloves, soap, washable underpad, peri bottle, sterile lube jelly, povidone-Iodine swab stick, scrub brush, gauze sponges, paper tape, sterile blade, cord ties or umbilical cord clamps, scalpel, alcohol prep pads, maternity pad with mesh brief, new cloth diapers, sterile bulb syringe, swaddling cloth, and newborn-infant hat.
GEMS has also put together New Baby Kits. A donation of $62 dollars includes essential items for newborns, such as baby shampoo and soap, baby oil, cloth diapers, a swaddling blanket, washcloth wipes, and sterile bulb syringes.
New Baby Kits = $62
Include baby shampoo, baby soap, baby oil 3oz, wash cloth wipes set, new cloth diapers, diaper safety pins, hospital quality baby swaddling blanket, newborn-infant hat, and sterile bulb syringe
Village Healthcare Clinic
GEMS is also focusing its fundraising efforts towards raising $75,000 toward the completion of a healthcare clinic in the village of Majok Goi, home to approximately 6,000 people that have scarce resources and limited access to healthcare.
Donate Today
Every woman should deliver safely. Funding can help save the lives of women and newborn babies in South Sudan, a country with one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world.
Just a small donation can make a world of a difference for these vulnerable mothers and babies. Donate today to help save the precious lives of these children and women in South Sudan.