My name is Mary Keji, and I recently heard about the Tali Health Care Centre while I was 8 months pregnant with my third child. I gave birth to my first two children at home and there was a problem with the first delivery -I fear this will happen again.
I was told that treatment at the Tali Centre was very good so I walked 12 kilometers from my hometown Bukan to visit the centre to ensure my unborn baby is healthy.
I met with a nurse and she told me my baby is fine, but lying in the wrong position. I was told that I have to come back to the clinic to deliver - and not give birth at home.
I understand that this is the best thing to do and I am very grateful that the health workers at Tali will do everything they can to ensure me and my child are healthy.
-Mary Keji, Bukan Southern Sudan
Giving Birth Often Leads to Death
After 21 years of brutal civil war - when most hospitals and clinics were destroyed -health care in Southern Sudan is now dire.
Whereas Canadians have 200 doctors for every 1,000 people, in Southern Sudan, there is only one doctor - this is one of the lowest doctor-population ratios in the world.
Preventable and treatable diseases like malaria, meningitis, and measles are epidemic in some areas. Leprosy, cholera and polio are also on the rise.
But the major health challenge?
Women are dying in childbirth.
Highest Death Rate in the World for Mothers
Southern Sudan has the highest rate of pregnancy-related deaths in the world. Over 2,000 women die for every 100,000 who give birth. In North America and Europe the average is 9.
Only 5% of women have a health care professional with them during labor -so for many South Sudanese women childbirth equals death.
But AMREF believes that we can help. There is a lot of potential in Southern Sudan. There is support from many other countries and local communities are waiting to be utilized.
By empowering communities and people towards better health we can drastically reduce the number of women dying in childbirth.
AMREF is currently working with the Tali community in Terekeka South Sudan training health workers and traditional birth attendants. We have opened 7 health care units and 2 health care centres that now serve 150,000 people.
We share our experiences and research with the Government of South Sudan, trying to establish the cause of the world's highest level of maternal death.
You Can Help
Make a donation to support ongoing training and health development in Southern Sudan