South Sudan: RMF UNICEF Integrated MNCH and PMTCT in Ayod and Pibor Counties
Restoring Vulnerable Communities’ Access to Healthcare: Q1 2017
June 12, 2017
Dr. Taban Martin Vitale and Richard Anyama
Summary of Activities
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.
RMF/UNICEF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period
- Facilitated the transportation of pharmaceuticals and consumables to Pibor and Gorwai through regular UNHAS flights.
- Procured and delivered an adequate amount of essential foodstuffs for RMF’s relocated staff (those recruited from Juba and deployed in Gorwai and Pibor), since basic commodities are not available in these areas.
- Facilitated in-country transportation of health staff from Pibor and Gorwai PHCCs to Juba and back through regular UNHAS flights.
- Continued facilitation of our health team’s participation in all coordination activities/meetings at national and state levels.
- Continued to support satellite phone services through payment of monthly subscription fees, as this is the only means of communication in Gorwai.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Training
Expanding Skill Sets
During this reporting quarter:
- 3 and 5 healthcare workers in Pibor and Gorwai, respectively, were trained on FANC, PMTCT, and PNC for 5 days.
- 1 and 2 healthcare workers in Pibor and Gorwai, respectively, received 10-day training on BEmONC and are providing quality BEmONC services.
- 2 and 5 vaccinators in Pibor and Gorwai, respectively, were trained on EPI services for 3 days and quality EPI services are being provided in Pibor.
Curative Consultations
Two Communities Served
During this reporting quarter:
- In Pibor PHCC, a total of 3,969 curative consultations were provided. Of these, 2,917 patients were under five and 1,052 above five years of age.
- In Gorwai PHCC, a total of 3,789 curative consultations were provided. Of these 1,908 patients were under five and 1,881 above five years of age.
Infrastructure
Rehabilitating Facilities
During this reporting quarter:
- Pibor and Gorwai PHCCs, rehabilitated by RMF in the previous quarter, continued to provide quality maternal, neonatal, and child health services.
- EPI cold chain system, established by RMF in Pibor PHCC during the previous quarter, continued to function and provide safe storage of vaccines to promote effective immunization services for children under five and women of childbearing age.
Healthcare Services
Providing Needed Care
The services now provided range from:
- FANC/PNC/PMTCT
- Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care
- EPI Services (only in Pibor)
- Basic Diagnostic Services (through use of rapid diagnostic kits)
- General Care (both outpatient and inpatient)
- Community Mobilization and Awareness
Community Education
Outreaches and Training
During this reporting quarter:
- 2 and 2 local committees in Pibor and Gorwai, respectively, were trained during the reporting quarter.
- 7 and 6 community outreach sessions were conducted in Pibor and Gorwai, respectively.
Impacting Lives
Restoring Quality of Life
During this reporting quarter:
- 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 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.
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
More
Photos
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Numbers
Served
The MNCH and PMTCT program directly targets the estimated population of Gorwai, 38,817, and that of Pibor, 60,400, projected from the 2008 South Sudan Population and Housing Census.
More Reports on: RMF UNICEF Integrated MNCH and PMTCT in Ayod and Pibor Counties Archive
Country Page: South Sudan
Initiative Page: RMF UNICEF Integrated MNCH and PMTCT in Ayod and Pibor Counties
