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.

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Deng said to the North, southern Sudan should cooperate in sharing the oil-Washington Post

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Southern Sudan: independence is only the beginning-CNN International

Some of the thousands of people who were displaced by the recent violence in the area of Abyei fled south to the town of Agok.

HIGHLIGHTS OF POINTS OF HISTORY

• On Saturday, the South Sudan will become the independent State of southern Sudan
  
• The new country immediately will face the problems of poverty, conflicts and economic problems
  
• But there is also reason to be confident about the future of southern Sudan

Editor's Note: Ken MacLean is the Director of southern Sudan of Mercy Corps, a humanitarian organization working in Sudan since 1985.

(CNN) -on Saturday, southern Sudan will become the independent State of southern Sudan. Is a historic event: the culmination of a six-year process that ended a long and brutal civil war that caused the deaths of millions. Although the path to independence has been difficult, people look to the future.

This was a lively week in the country to be, and thousands of volunteers and world dignitaries traveled to the city of Juba to celebrations. But then comes the hard work of building a country on July 9 already faces major obstacles.

Here are three challenges that the new nation will be struggling with:

Poverty: 1. graded Sudan 154169 the human development index 2010 United Nations, and the southern Sudan will be one of the world's poorest countries, with limited roads, unfortunately inadequate and sporadic network of schools and hospitals. The number of victims of poverty is painfully clear: more than a quarter of 8 million people in southern Sudan do not have enough food, and more women die in childbirth than almost anything else in the world.

2. conflict: the violence that has flared in recent weeks along the border with Sudan. More than 100,000 people have fled the disputed region of Abyei, where it is expected that an interim peace agreement and Ethiopian troops can stop the fighting. In the South-North Kordofan State attacks forced more than 70,000 people to flee their homes. Violence is not all about North and South. Theft of livestock, rogue militias and heavily armed crime have added to the violent mix civilians terrorized.

3. economic problems: southern Sudan face many economic difficulties. The economy is heavily dependent on oil, a situation that could produce corruption and other industries to suffocate. The people of South-North trade dependent for food and fuel. With strained North-South relations, the trade is based to a halt, creating serious shortages, rising prices, blackouts and long queues for fuel. In addition, the Government will present a new paper currency in the coming months-without a definitive plan or sufficient cash reserves. All these factors could create economic instability.

These challenges have led some analysts to call "the next failed State" to southern Sudan. You don't have to be the future of this new nation, and 8 million people who live there, Mercy Corps and other groups are working to ensure that it is not.

There are reasons to be optimistic about the future of southern Sudan:

1. people are excited and hopeful. The country's success will depend on the participation and leadership of his people, that is energy and eager to begin building your new country. In contrast to only five years, people talk less about the legacy of war and more hope for the future. As a young teacher named Aguer recently told me, "I feel great and excited about our future ..." I'm focused on what I have to do to serve my people. Can I do to ensure that this nation as other large Nations? "Southern Sudan as Aguer knows there are challenges, but they are now of their destinations and eager to make their country prosperous". There is a great opportunity for channelling positively to this positive energy and emotion.

2. successful referendum was a good start. In January, the southern Sudan held a referendum Pacific fair and inclusive in which nearly 99% of participants voted for independence. He was a great success, and the people of the South made their voice heard. Southern Sudan should build this success to form a government responsibility and responsiveness and citizenship who participates and responsible Government. It must be special efforts so that women and young people have a game in his Government and communities.

3. Business can help. The private sector can provide southern Sudan required goods, services and employment. With abundant arable land and a favorable climate, agriculture has particular promise. Farmers-many of which methods of subsistence and grow just enough to get-they have a steep learning curve, but southern Sudan has the potential to be a regional breadbasket. New technologies-such as mobile phone networks to provide technical assistance, financial services and market-data farmers may give a boost to agriculture.

Southern Sudan was born in a difficult situation and will have serious growing pains, but with the right combination of peace, private investment and aid from the international community, can be successful.

Mercy Corps is one of the international community to collaborate with groups of citizens, local governments, farmers and businessmen to help Southern Sudan to develop their full potential. We know you a stable and prosperous southern Sudan will be good for Africa and the world, but especially for the people of the country, which both survived with his hope amazingly intact.

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The new State of southern Sudan-New York Times

On Saturday, the South Sudan will become a free and independent country. It is a deserved victory for its people. Under a United States-backed 2005 agreement that ended two decades of civil war, the territory's people voted overwhelmingly Christian mostly in January to separate the Muslim Arab North.

Still, celebrations in the capital, Juba, cannot conceal a truth disappointing: build a new country functional will take decades of hard work. The responsibility lies mainly in southern Sudan, but also in the United States and the international community to guide.

54 State of Africa is at the bottom of the developing world. Most people live on less than $ 1 per day more than 10 per cent of children do not reach the age of 5 years. About 75 percent of adults cannot read.

Meanwhile, bitter disputes between North and South are fueling the chaos in a land already bloodied by two million killed in the civil war. Sudan on Friday became the first State to recognize the southern Sudan. President of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the murderous war in Darfur, said that he would attend the festivities in Juba. But he also said that he would continue the fight that broke out last month against the forces loyal to the South in South Kordofan, a region rich in oil, still under the control of Khartoum. Decision of Mr. Bashir at the request of the United Nations to withdraw from the peace of South Kordofan is deeply worrying.

The main elements of the peace agreement of 2005 were resolved-as to which side will control the oil-rich region of Abyei, where fighting has also broken; citizens protection of minorities; where will the final frontiers. As oil revenues will be shared (South has 70 percent of reserves).?

The two parties are dependent on each other. Needs of southern Sudan of the northern pipeline to get its oil to the market. Sudan needs the oil money to help pay their bills. Both need foreign investment and the North needed debt relief. They have a better chance to win international support if they are in peace.

As an incentive, the United States and its partners have offered to convene an International Conference in September to southern Sudan. It will allow the southern Sudanese leaders present their plans for the promotion of private investment needed desperately. Washington gave Juba 300 million dollars to education and housing and promises more. International assistance should only move the southern Sudan constructively work with Khartoum to bring stability to both countries.

The Obama administration, correctly, is not taking off Sudan its terrorism list and the normalisation of relations unless it is in accordance with the peace agreement in Khartoum and end the conflict in Darfur. China, the Sudan oil investor and main supplier of arms, should deliver a similar message to Mr. Bashir, who is accused of war crimes, rather received with fanfare in Beijing and offers promising new oil. The international community must convince both sides to avoid war and to work to build a future for two Sudans.

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