Imagine a country where nearly 2.1 million children under five teeter on the brink of starvation, their tiny bodies ravaged by malnutrition. This isn't a dystopian fiction; it's the stark reality in South Sudan, where the specter of malnutrition looms large. But here's where it gets even more heartbreaking: 670,000 of these children are severely wasted, their lives hanging by a thread.
The World Health Organization (WHO), alongside dedicated partners, is waging a fierce battle against this crisis. In collaboration with South Sudan's Ministry of Health, they're rolling out initiatives across all 10 states and three administrative areas to expand access to care for these vulnerable children.
At the heart of this effort are tireless health workers and partners, whose unwavering commitment is saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems. Their impact resonates in stabilization centers and hospitals nationwide. “WHO’s support in enhancing inpatient care for children with severe acute malnutrition and medical complications is invaluable,” shares Khamisa Ayoub, Director for Nutrition at the Ministry of Health. This support encompasses everything from developing guidelines and training materials to providing essential SAM kits and building the capacity of health workers.
One of WHO’s game-changing interventions is the Quality-of-Care Improvement Tool, a structured, step-by-step guide tailored to WHO standards. Forty-seven health workers from fifteen centers across Central (Juba), Eastern (Torit), and Western (Yambio) Equatoria States have been trained to wield this tool effectively, armed with SAM kits, updated guidelines, and job aids. Piloted at Al Sabah Children’s Hospital, the tool exposed critical gaps and spurred the creation of a targeted action plan. These efforts are further bolstered by improved coordination, access to essential medicines, and robust monitoring systems, ensuring consistent, high-quality care.
“The training and resources from WHO have revolutionized how we care for children with severe acute malnutrition,” remarks Dr. Gawar, a pediatrician at Al Sabah Children’s Hospital. “The tool has been adapted to our local context, empowering health workers to deliver services that are both consistent and of the highest quality.”
These interventions are offering children a second chance at life. Mothers now arrive at stabilization centers to find trained staff and clear care protocols guiding treatment. But here’s the part most people miss: While these gains are undeniably lifesaving, they also underscore the enormity of the challenge ahead. Persistent issues and preventable deaths highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in nutrition and child health services.
Alarmingly, over 50% of pediatric deaths recorded in Al-Sabah Children’s Hospital’s monthly audits occur in stabilization centers. The culprits? Severe malaria, pneumonia, sepsis, and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) with dehydration or shock—conditions that disproportionately affect children due to their smaller, developing bodies. These grim statistics reveal that malnutrition isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a crisis with far-reaching consequences for children and their communities. Compounded by South Sudan’s already high childhood mortality rates—an Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 63.3 per 1,000 and under-5 mortality rates of 97.9 per 1,000 live births—the human toll is devastating.
“Malnutrition among children under five isn’t merely a health concern; it’s a crisis that permeates every facet of life,” asserts Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative to South Sudan. “It stunts physical health, delays development, and hinders a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Seeing children succumb to this is unacceptable, which is why WHO is partnering with the Ministry of Health and others to scale up services at all nutritional sites, strengthen the health system, and ensure no child is left behind.”
The new Quality-of-Care Improvement Tool is designed to empower clinicians, pediatricians, nutritionists, and nurses to elevate the standard of care in stabilization centers. But here’s the controversial question: With such dire statistics, is enough being done globally to address malnutrition? Or are we failing these children by not prioritizing this crisis with the urgency it demands?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you think the global response to malnutrition is adequate? What more can be done to ensure every child has a chance to thrive? Share your opinions in the comments below.
For more information, reach out to our technical contacts:
- Dr. Lucy Meseka Aggrey: mesekal[at]who[dot]int
- Dr. Kuol Alier: alierk[at]who[dot]int
