Child Health

South Sudan has one the highest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 84 per 1000 live births and Under-five Mortality Rate (UMR) of 106 per 1000 live births. These high mortalities could easily be averted by immunization however only 13.8% of children under 1 year reported to have been vaccinated against DTP-3.

This failure is greatly attributed to limited access to immunization service due to poor supply and cold chain system, weak community awareness and participation as well as the conflict.  Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children and the use of antibiotics in under-5s with suspected pneumonia is a key intervention however only one out of five mothers can recognize the two danger signs of pneumonia and only 35.1% of children with suspected pneumonia are taken to an appropriate healthcare provider or health facility. Other major causes of infant and under-five morbidity and mortality are malaria pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases, and malnutrition. Hunger is another challenge.

• Reducing illness and death among children from emerging and existing infectious disease through integration and scale up of effective preventive and curative interventions for under-five children targeting the major childhood causes of morbidity and mortality i.e. pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria into existing primary and secondary health care services.
• Scale up integrated community case management (iCCM) into geographical areas where IHO where access to Primary health care services are limited and promote iCCM and PHC thematic linkage;
• Improve essential new-born care practices and manage child illness through the already existing iCCM and health facility services,
• Scale up the immunizations services through static facilities and outreach activities to the underserved geographical areas;
• Emphasis on integration of Nutrition into the existing and upcoming iCCM, primary and secondary health interventions to enhance thematic synergy;
• Strengthening SS health system to effectively address new-born and child health.
• Improve health awareness and care seeking behaviour through targeted Community mobilisation; demand creation and IEC/BCC activities.
• Emergency health response through Cluster Coordination system: IHO will participate in both state and national level health cluster activities to strengthen coordination, governance and planning at national and state levels of health programs. Particular emphasis will be given on inclusiveness in inter agency planning and needs assessment and response; there will be a deliberate effort to involvement of government organs in health governance at national and state level.