15 July 2014 – Ten months after starting work in Wau Hospital, a new maternity theatre and waiting home have officially been opened by His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The new maternity theatre and waiting home, built by the World Health Organization with funds from the Canadian International Development Agency, now called DFATD. The waiting home is an 18-bed facility with a kitchen extension to support mothers as they wait for their time of delivery. The two theatres are fitted with modern theatre equipment, a procedure room, changing room, post operating room, stabilization room, power room and a washroom. The maternity complex has solar panels and therefore power at all times.

WHO Country Representative for South Sudan Dr Abdi Aden Mohamed thanked the Canadian government for supporting the comprehensive emergency, obstetric and neonatal care (CEmONC) project in South Sudan.  He reported that WHO is currently constructing a maternity complex in Yambio hospital and plans to start the construction of another one in Torit hospital, Eastern Equatoria state in August 2014.

He added that since 2012, the project has provided services to 12,000 pregnant mothers, including 7,800 emergency cases with 551 caesarian sections operations in Bor, Malakal, Wau, Yambio, and Torit state hospitals. The aim of the project is to increase the accessibility of women with obstetric complications to CEmONC services and thus contribute to the reduction of the high maternal mortality rates in South Sudan.

”With funding from the Government of Canada, WHO has sponsored 21 South Sudan Medical doctors for 3 years specialization in Obstetric Gynecology in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan universities. WHO has deployed 4 Obstetric Gynecologists, 2 surgeons and 2 anesthetists in those state hospitals’’ said Dr Mohammed.

Dr Mohamed assured the President that WHO will continue its unreserved support to the health services of South Sudan by working closely with MoH and coordinating with other health partners in the country. He thanked the Minister of Health for his dedication and able leadership.

The Head of the Cooperation/ Counselor (Development) for the Canadian government in South Sudan Mr Jamie Schnurr said that his government has identified South Sudan as one of its priority countries for their support especially with regards to maternal and child health. He said the government of Canada will continue to work with partners to deliver the much needed assistance and commended WHO and UNFPA for being strong partners in maternal health issues and assured that Canada will continue to collaborating with them.

The State Minister of Health, Dr. Isaac Cleto thanked WHO for implementing the project in Western Bhar El Ghazal State and that it will contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality rates in the state. “I want to thank WHO for their support in building the capacity of health professionals in this hospital and for the tremendous support they have provided to save the lives of mothers and children”, said Dr Cleto.

The Minister of Health Dr Riek Gai Kok, said that the newly opened facility will serve the people of Western Bahr EL Ghazal State as well as those in neighboring states. He thanked WHO for supporting the people of South Sudan on all issues related to health and added that Wau Hospital is now fully functional CEmONC centre where emergency cases relating to pregnancy/delivery and childbirth will be promptly and adequately supported and treated.

The President of the Republic of South Sudan urged the women of South Sudan to visit the hospital for services. He called all leaders and people in the community to spread word of the maternity theatre, waiting home, Regional Blood transfusion service and specialized Laboratory to encourage people to come to the hospital. “Make the best use of the blood bank, come and donate blood so that mothers who need it will not die while giving birth”, Said Salva Kiir. He emphasized that with the launch of the 4 facilities; the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal will no longer need to seek specialized medical services abroad.

His Excellency President donated an ambulance to the hospital and thanked all health partners in South Sudan for their great humanitarian support and work.

1. The Hon Minister of Health, Dr Riek Gai Kok, Dr Abdi Mohamed, WHO Representative and Dr Barnbas, UNFPA Representative welcoming the President to Wau Teaching Hospital 
2. His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, officially opening the new maternity theatre at Wau Hospital constructed by WHO with funding from the Canadian government  
3. Dr Abdi Mohamed of WHO delivering speech on the occasion of opening and handing over the Maternity complex at Wau Teaching Hospital

Photo credits: WHO/ P. Ajello