GlobalGiving.org: BRAC health care for 30,000 people in S. Sudan

Fighting Diseases in S. Sudan

Manisha Bhinge — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:58:41 GMT

BRAC community health entrepreneur in S. Sudan

The health program continues to operate 8 branches in the county of Juba, serving over 22,000 households and a population of 140,528. Our 180 health entrepreneurs go door-to-door to create awareness of critical infectious disease, identify patients suffering from common ailments and refer them to nearest healthcare facilities. The health entrepreneurs also sell health commodities such as soap, ORS, family planning items and water purification tablets. The items in greatest demand have been the water purification tablets, highlighting the importance of fresh drinking water.

BRAC is also working to address malaria in small children. Working in state of Lakes, in central S. Sudan, BRAC's community health workers go door to door and identify young children within the ages of 1 to 5, suffering from symptoms of malaria. These children are provided medication and monitored carefully. Serious cases are referred to the local health clinic. The program has helped over 60,000 children within 4 counties in the Lakes state.

Challenges and Growth in S. Sudan

Manisha Bhinge — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:20:45 GMT

Southern Sudan is acknowledged to have some of the worst health indicators in the world. The under-five infant mortality rate is 112 per 1,000, while maternal mortality is the highest and most dangerous in the world, at 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births. The people of southern Sudan must overcome significant health challenges as the country recovers from decades of civil war and addresses underdevelopment.

However, having just returned from the field, Program Manager Manisha Bhinge reports that the team is meeting obstacles with enthusiasm and energy. BRAC Southern Sudan’s Essential Health Care program that was launched in 2008 now has a cadre of 180 Community Health Promoters trained to deliver health services in reproductive health, malaria control, TB control, HIV/AIDS prevention, community health and hygiene, and basic curative care for common illnesses. These women visit over 20,000 households, reaching a population of over 136,200. They focus on promoting family planning, preventative practices, knowledge around common ailments and key diseases including malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. They persevere in the most extreme circumstances to reach out to Southern Sudan's population and help communities to overcome healthcare challenges.

Thanks to all those who continue to support these women in their mission to improve the health situation in Southern Sudan!

Update on BRAC's health program in Southern Sudan

Michelle Chaplin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:10:10 GMT

Even compared to other African nations in the region, Southern Sudan’s health indicators are especially low – 1 out of 8 children do not make it to the age of five, and only 10% of child deliveries are attended by health personnel. We are trying, bit by bit, to improve conditions.

Since our last update, the Community Health Promoters have been busily visiting households, about 150 each every month. The Promoterss are trained to deliver health services in reproductive health, malaria control, TB control, HIV/AIDS prevention, community health and hygiene, and basic curative care for common illnesses. These incredible women also work to place special emphasis on educating other poor women on family planning methods.

All of our Health Promoters are supplied with essential medical products to sell at subsidized costs to members of the communities who need it. However, in order to keep supplying them with these items, we need your help!

Thank you to all who have supported us in this endeavor thus far – our attempts to bring healthcare into the far corners of a dark country have made a difference to those we have reached - about 30,000 people every month!

Please continue to support us and our Health Promoters in working to provide pathways out of the poverty that has run Southern Sudan for decades.

Community Health Promoters have been trained!

Michelle Chaplin — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Thanks to your continued support, all 30 community health promoters have been trained! Each woman visits 150 households a month, providing 1,000 people with health education and basic health services.

Each woman also sells health-related products like soap, condoms and mosquito nets in order to supplement her income and provide her community with access to health products they may not otherwise have access to.

Now we need support for refresher training for the 30 community health promoters so they can continue to provide important health information to 30,000 people in Southern Sudan. Additionally, we need to keep supplying them with health-related products that they can sell on their home visits.

In a country where conflict and devastation have been the norm, things are starting to look a little brighter. Thanks again for all your support!

Best,

Michelle Chaplin

Links:

We're on our way!

Michelle Chaplin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:04:53 GMT

Thanks to your generous support, BRAC's health program has gotten its grounding in Southern Sudan. So far, we have: * trained 3 community organizers, who will each oversee the work of 10 community health promoters * recruited all 30 community health promoters and had them trained by our community organizers * started a baseline study to determine the health needs of the community

Once the study is done, the community health promoters will visit 12 households per day, reaching 1,000 people every month with health education, basic health services, and health related products, which the health promoters will sell to supplement their income.

When this project is fully implemented, it will reach 30,000 Southern Sudanese with the basic health services that they so desperately need.

Thank you again for all your support!