Small victories amidst the challenges
South Sudan Health Minister Riek Gai Kok credits the initial successes of the SMS Project to the holistic approach taken by the Ministry and the project partners to improve maternal health. Working on all facets of health, Dr. Kok says, is the only way to truly combat the grim maternal health situation. As a result of this holistic philosophy, the SMS Project has made some notable strides. The investment by project donors Canada and Sweden “has hit the nail on the head and it’s a relationship that we’re proud of as a country,” the health minister says.
The aim is to ultimately help shape, develop, empower and strengthen the future and the next generation of the world’s youngest country.
Since 2012, increased awareness, education, and resources have been put towards reducing the maternal mortality rate. Data collected by the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank Group and the UN Population Division estimated the maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan at 789 deaths per 100,000 live births as of 2015.