The disease burden across South Sudan – in an environment with little health infrastructure and extremely remote populations – is very complex. The whole of South Sudan is endemic for malaria, with high transmission in the country throughout the year, accounting for over 60 percent of all health facility visits and the leading cause of illness and death in children under five years. The impact of communicable diseases on young children is exacerbated by poor nutrition and a lack of access to basic health services. We work with the government and partners to support community-centred, evidence-based interventions that respond to changing conditions and the needs of individuals.
Malaria Consortium has been operating in the country since 2005 from our office in Juba and has been committed to reducing the burden of malaria, communicable and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in South Sudan, especially those affecting children under five. Our initial focus, conducting long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution and healthcare worker training on malaria case management, prevention and control, has since expanded to include primary health care, nutrition, community health — with a focus on integrated community case management (iCCM) for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea — and NTDs.
We also play an integral role in conducting operational research and facilitating the generation of quality-assured data to improve decision-making and planning. We work closely with a range of partners, including government, community, international and private sector across several states, including Upper Nile, Northern Bhar el Ghazal and Western Bhar El Ghazal, Warrap and Jonglei. - to ensure interventions are as effective and sustainable as possible.