Health needs in southern Sudan-voice of America

08 July 2011.

Photo: America TV

The conflict has displaced thousands of people.

While many people celebrate the independence of southern Sudan, relief agencies warn that the new nation still faces many problems. Doctors without borders, also known as MSF, said southern Sudan lives a "massive humanitarian emergency" that could continue for years.

"I think it is something that the celebrations will have a lot of attention in the future," said Jose Hulsenbek, head of Mission of doctors without borders in southern Sudan. "Access of health care of persons remains extremely low." "I want to say that they estimate that about 70 per cent of the population has no access to basic health care, basic".

The majority of health services in southern Sudan is provided by non-governmental organizations and the United Nations and international agencies.

"It will be some time before the Government will reach a level where it can actually deliver health care," he said, "I only hope that development will not have you people forget that there are some very important things that will always be in place and need immediate attention."

Primary concerns

The main health concerns include disease and the effects of violence, as well as maternal and child care and child chronic malnutrition

"The other thing is that we are in the midst of a parasitic disease called kala azar outbreak," he said. He has been considered the most severe form of leishmaniasis and is fatal if untreated. MSF said it is difficult to treat the disease and lack of access to medical care is the worst situation.

"The Government is not capable of responding to this epidemic." Last year, we saw eight times more cases of kala chance that we have seen in previous years. Therefore, we are preparing to continue this epidemic. Is a disease that is cyclic. Outbreaks like this occur every two years, eight to 10 years officially. And unfortunately we are in the midst of this, "said Hulsenbek.

Women and children

MSF reports that the southern Sudan has some of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality in the world.

"For many months of the year, people have less access than normal to healthcare". During the rainy season, a pregnant woman may have to walk two or three days to reach a clinic to receive treatment, if there are complications during childbirth, "said the head of Mission of MSF.

As for children, said Hulsenbek, "there are a lot of diseases easily treatable, but because they can't do a clinic receiving this treatment … there are so many children dying."

Coming home

It is estimated that about 300 thousand people returned North to the South in recent years, increased pressure on the system of marketing.

Literally it just an increase in population, which means that there are more people arrive at the clinics. "But … it puts pressure on all the services they provide, he said."

For example, population growth means the need for more food. "This is one reason why they are seeing malnutrition in certain areas," he said.

MSF currently provides health services in 13 locations in eight States, including primary health care, hospitals, maternity care, nutrition and care of treatment centres for HIV and tuberculosis.