Only 30% of South Sudanese access Anti-Malaria Services

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The World Health Organization officials have reported in Juba that only 30% of the South Sudanese out of the estimated 10 million people have access to malaria treatment in the world’s newest country.

Dr. Abdninasir M. Abubakar, an Epidemiologist from World Health Organization (WHO) told Gurtong on Monday that South Sudan faces critical challenges despite efforts of the Ministry of Health and health partner’s intervention on the disease.

“Fewer people have the access to the health services in South Sudan, around 25-30% and there are only 1,300 health facilities let alone the limited distribution.” Dr Abubakar said.

“Malaria is one of the diseases in this country that increases mortality rate compared to other diseases; it is endemic and has affected a greater part of the population, the doctor pointed out.

The statistics indicate that this year alone, from January to July we had 420,000 cases compared to last year in same period with 220,000 cases admitted. If you compare with 2009 again the number has tripled,” Dr Abubakar revealed.

He attributed the increase on the spread of the disease to mass influx of South Sudanese returnees from Khartoum and the fact that most parts of the country are favorable for malaria to spread faster.

He also mentioned that due to the famine situation which has hit most parts, the population has been left vulnerable to the effects of malaria.

“323 and 348 people were reported dead in the last two years of 2009 and 2010 respectively in malaria related cases,” Abubakar confirmed.

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