Mobile clinic brings healthcare to South Sudan villages - ChristianToday

South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate in the worldAP

When South Sudan gained its independence in January 2011, an overwhelming majority voted in favour but basic infrastructure like schools and roads remain in a poor state after over 20 years of civil war.

Healthcare has also suffered and people are often too poor or too isolated to access healthcare facilities when they need medical attention.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: "South Sudan needs substantial support as its struggles to make itself a viable nation after years of civil war."

With the life expectancy just 40 years and the maternal mortality rate the world`s highest - 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births - healthcare facilities can make all the difference to South Sudan's communities.

The needs have only increased since secession with the exodus of people from the North owing to the hostile climate towards Southerners there.

Barnabas Fund, which assists Christians suffering discrimination or persecution, is supporting a mobile clinic that provides essential healthcare to five remote villages.

These are located around the city of Yei, at the very south of the country, approximately 100 miles south east of Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The clinic comes to each village on the same each week, operating from a church building. Barnabas Fund is paying for seven people working in the clinic, as well as providing the necessary financing for the vehicle and the medicines.

Villagers are receiving life-saving and life-transforming treatments for diseases such as malaria and pneumonia, as well as ante-natal care, child immunisation, nutritional care and family planning.

Dr Sookhdeo continued: "Barnabas Fund is standing alongside our brothers and sisters in South Sudan, who lack the most basic of services.

"This mobile health clinic is making a significant difference to the lives of some of the country's most impoverished and isolated citizens. Please support us in this endeavour."