South Sudan: RMF UNICEF Integrated MNCH and PMTCT in Ayod and Pibor Counties

Rehabilitating Infrastructure and Services: Q4 2016

May 30, 2017

Dr. Taban Martin Vitale

Summary of Activities

The overall goal of this project is to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child morbidity and mortality through strengthening the healthcare system to provide quality maternal, neonatal, and child health services in the assigned counties.

During the armed conflict that broke out in Juba mid-December 2013, infrastructure that existed in Ayod was destroyed, while Pibor’s healthcare facility was vandalized during the insurgency of February 2016. Coupled with lack of funding, healthcare partners in Ayod and Pibor left these locations, increasing the vulnerability of communities in these two counties who have no access to quality, affordable healthcare services.

In September 2016, RMF entered into a partnership agreement with UNICEF to rejuvenate the primary healthcare centers in Gorwai and Pibor in order to provide quality MNCH and PMTCT services for the communities in need.

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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

south sudanese outfit health center

Provision of Materials and Services

Quality Holistic Outreach

Project Objectives

  • Rehabilitate the healthcare facilities in Pibor and Gorwai to provide quality healthcare services.
  • Provide essential medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables.
  • Provide quality, integrated maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in accordance with national MOH (Ministry of Health) and international standards.
  • Build the capacity of the County Health Departments and their staff involved in provision of healthcare services.
south sudanese doctors stock medicine

Follow Up Details

Supply Shipments

A memorandum of understanding was facilitated and signed with Boma State Ministry of Health, giving RMF the mandate to operate in Pibor, and any other county in the state. Essential pharmaceuticals and consumables were procured to start active implementation in Gorwai. UNHAS-operated helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were chartered to deliver medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to Gorwai and Pibor. The transportation of medical supplies and the health team were also facilitated by these planes.

south sudan medical clinic unloads supplies

Rehabilitating Infrastructure

Pibor and Gorwani Facilities

The health facility in Pibor installed solar system together with solar fridges to enable expanded program on immunization services. Both facilities received WASH equipment, including pit latrines. Staff tents for accommodation in staff compound annex to the facilities were procured and installed. Essential foodstuffs for the teams were procured and provided. The facilities procured and were provided with antenatal cards and scholastic materials. There will be continued facilitation of our team to participate in all coordinations activities at national and state levels.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

Real Medicine Foundation has been working in South Sudan since 2009, when we initiated and cofounded Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM), the first accredited college of its kind in South Sudan. Through our implementation and support of JCONAM, Juba Teaching Hospital, and a UNICEF (and WFP) malnutrition treatment and prevention program in Jonglei State, RMF has worked to preserve the health and dignity of South Sudanese, especially mothers and children, as the country struggles to rebuild after decades of civil war and the last conflict of mid-December 2013. In early July 2016, fighting broke out again in the capital city of Juba, and millions of South Sudanese became refugees or internally displaced persons, fleeing their homes in search of safety and food security.

In spite of the increasing violence, scarcity of food, and financial instability (as of August 2016, inflation reached 900%), RMF has maintained a strong presence in South Sudan, fighting as best we can to lower the maternal mortality rate (the highest in the world) and infant mortality rate. In September 2016, RMF began a new program, entering into a partnership agreement with UNICEF to rejuvenate the primary healthcare centers in Gorwai and Pibor in order to provide quality MNCH (maternal, neonatal, and child health) and PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission) services for the communities in need.

Objectives

  • Rehabilitate the healthcare facilities in Pibor and Gorwai to provide quality healthcare services
  • Provide essential medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables
  • Provide quality, integrated MNCH and PMTCT services in accordance with national MOH (Ministry of Health) and international standards
  • Build the capacity of the County Health Departments (CHD) and their staff involved in provision of healthcare services
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More

Photos

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Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

875 direct beneficiaries during this reporting period

99,217 indirect beneficiaries

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Success

Stories

Beneficiaries

Increased wellbeing

  • The restoration of healthcare services in Pibor and Gorwai has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of communities in these areas.
  • The communities in both counties are now able to access quality MNCH (maternal, neonatal, and child health) services.
  • The communities in Pibor are now receiving EPI (expanded program on immunization) services.
  • The communities in both counties now have access to quality general health care for all age groups.
  • This project has offered employment opportunities for South Sudanese nationals as both technical and support staff.