By Hou Akot Hou
Residents of Apirin Village in Ayien Boma, Turalei Payam of Twic County, Warrap State, South Sudan, are appealing for urgent health services, citing a lack of medical facilities in the area that has contributed to rising maternal deaths.
The community says the absence of a nearby health facility has forced pregnant women to travel long distances to seek care, often resulting in life-threatening complications during childbirth.
Bak Yor, the Executive Chief of Apirin, called on local authorities and humanitarian partners to intervene, saying many maternal deaths in the area are linked to birth complications that could be prevented with timely medical assistance.
Yor cited a recent case in which an expectant mother died while giving birth to twins, raising concerns among residents about the possibility of more deaths if urgent action is not taken.
He said residents are forced to walk long distances to access health facilities in neighbouring areas, including Gogrial, Aweil, and other parts of Twic County.
“We find the situation more deplorable here as our mothers die while giving birth. We need this to change because the time has come for our people to do what it takes to save lives,” Chief Bak said.
The chief said the community has repeatedly informed the county health authorities about the need for either an emergency health facility or an outreach service, but their requests have not received adequate attention.
“We have talked, and nobody has heeded our calls. This time, we need to use radio and other media platforms so that our message can reach implementers and policymakers,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Twic County Director of Health James Garang acknowledged the challenges facing Apirin and other remote communities, saying the withdrawal of some funding partners, including projects supported through USAID, has negatively affected health service delivery.
“The funding that was cut short following President Trump’s decision to shut down projects in Africa has made us vulnerable,” Garang said.
He added that UNICEF-supported projects are currently among the few remaining efforts they are relying on to respond to urgent health needs.
Garang said the county health department would continue engaging international partners working in the health sector to support Apirin and other hard-to-reach areas, at least in the short term, while seeking sustainable solutions.
The death of the Apirin mother and her twins highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing essential maternal healthcare services and the urgent need for improved health infrastructure in remote areas.