World Vision reveals alarming rates of malnutrition among mothers in South Sudan

00:00 8 March 2015 (Juba) – As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, World Vision reveals that in the country that has the highest rate of maternal mortality, in the world levels of malnutrition among pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in some areas of South Sudan are as high as 20 percent.

According to the World Health Organisation, South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate is 2054 per 100,000 births, according to the World Health Organisation.

“In a country where it is difficult to provide adequate healthcare, especially to remote areas, the situation of women and girls is dire - the high rates of malnutrition that we see in Upper Nile are a reflection of this,” said Perry Mansfield, National Director, World Vision South Sudan. “This has terrible consequences for their children, leaving thousands without mothers.”

“Malnutrition can lead to complications during childbirth including increasing the risk of stillbirth and miscarriages, long labour, haemorrhage and infection,” said Dr Madeline Bilonda, a public health specialist with World Vision. “There are a number of factors that lead to such a high rate of maternal mortality,” said Dr. Bilonda, “but malnutrition is definitely a factor. It is especially a problem in adolescent girls, when it can cause stunting and means that, when these girls become pregnant, their bodies simply cannot cope with the birth of the child.”

A delay in getting to health facilities, inadequate facilities and the prevalent belief that medical assistance is not necessary also contribute to the high mortality rate.

In Upper Nile state, World Vision conducts regular nutrition assessments and clinics and has recorded rates of malnutrition among those who they reach that are 22 percent on average. Over the last six months, World Vision has slowly expanded their nutrition programs and has successfully reduced rates of malnutrition among children under five. In February, they began a similar program targeting malnourished pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

 “We hope to do the same for mothers as we have done for their children with the commencement of this feeding program that will target mothers,” said Mansfield. “If we want to ensure that children are cared for, then we have to care for their mothers,” said Mansfield. “Amidst so much urgent need, the needs of women have been neglected.”

For more information or an interview with Madeline Bilonda or Perry Mansfield, please contact Melany Markham +211 922027 365 or melany_markham@wvi.org