South Sudan is experiencing a severe malnutrition crisis, affecting approximately two million children. Health clinics, such as the one in Gok Machar, are working tirelessly to treat affected children, many of whom suffer from illnesses exacerbated by ongoing conflict and food shortages. Health workers provide essential care amid rising cases and emphasize the importance of educating families on nutritional support.
In South Sudan, approximately two million children are afflicted by malnutrition, as indicated by aid agencies. A health clinic, adorned with murals highlighting breastfeeding mothers and nurses, serves as a refuge for these children plagued by malnutrition and related illnesses. The clinic, located within the Gok Machar health compound, receives numerous patients suffering from various health complications, a situation exacerbated by ongoing conflict in the region.
Mary Guak, a 29-year-old mother, shares her experience of seeking help for her six-month-old baby, who has been unable to feed properly for two months and is currently facing breathing difficulties and fever. “We have been here three days. The child is improving now,” she reports. Despite her efforts to sell nets in the market for food, Mary faces dwindling supplies.
Abuk Malong, a newly-arrived mother of a three-year-old stepson, laments the lack of food and support due to the absence of the children’s father. “I’m their father and their mother,” she asserts, revealing her sole responsibility after marrying into a family with complex dynamics stemming from her stepson’s deceased father.
Conditions in the health compound reflect the dire situation of refugee children, with malnourishment rates reaching up to 30% in some camps, as per the World Health Organization. Paediatric nurse Isaac Garang notes that common health concerns include dehydration, pneumonia, and malaria, and treatments typically involve antibiotics and therapeutic milk.
As Rebecca Awan observes her nine-month-old daughter Sarah, who suffers from constant fever and inadequate growth, she seeks assistance. Nurse Isaac uses a colour-coded band to assess Sarah’s malnourishment, while nutritional assistant Peter Aturjong emphasizes the clinic’s surge in cases during the wet season, often treating over 20 children a day.
The clinic aims to provide ongoing support, including educating mothers about the proper use of therapeutic paste intended for malnourished children. Isaac, working diligently to help his community, shares his dedication: “I’m tired but we are helping our community, and this is what’s important.”
The dire situation in South Sudan, where two million children face malnutrition, calls for urgent attention. Local health clinics are strained, providing essential care amidst overwhelming demand due to ongoing conflict and environmental challenges. Community dedication from health workers like Isaac Garang highlights the urgent need for support in combating malnutrition and improving the health outcomes of vulnerable children. Collaborative efforts from aid organizations remain crucial in addressing these pressing issues.
Original Source: www.irishexaminer.com
