The Bentiu IDP camp has been a home to many South Sudanese who hail from Unity State since the onset of the 2013 war, the camp managed by the UN provides shelter as well as healthcare ser- vices to vulnerable groups.
28-year-old Nyalok Gatyiel is one out of the many women whom UNFPA through its partners like the International Rescue Committee are reaching out with Integrated Sexual Reproductive Health Services. In early September, Nyalok, a returnee affected by the Sudan crisis was rushed uncon- scious and, bleeding in a wheelbarrow in the mid- dle of the night to the IRC-run health facility in the camp in sector 4block 11, already a mother of six Nyalok was in unbearable pain, the duty midwife immediately received her and proceeded with her to the labor ward without a waste of time, and she was bleeding. Upon investigations by the midwife, she noticed the placenta did not come out, which was why she bled and was in deep pain, the midwife then quickly provided controlled cord traction for each contraction by guarding the uterus while providing controlled cord traction for one hour after the baby is born and identifies that the placenta is retained.
From 2:00 am up to 7:00 am Nyalok was able to give birth to a baby girl weighing 3. kg under the care of IRC a midwife, who ensured respectful care was accorded, this was when she breathed a sigh of relief; days later she was able to compose herself,
“I am thankful to the IRC midwife who cared for me, I do not think I would be able to be alive and see my baby, I was received and taken good care of, I appreciate IRC for helping to deliver services in the community,” she said.
Lessons learned are that Health providers should encourage the importance of delivery in Health facilities in case of any complication. It can be managed very well, as home-based deliveries are risky.
I am honored to have assisted Nyalok, as a trained midwife, it is my duty to provide support and care to mothers like Nyalok, Immediate, and effective professional care at the time of delivery makes a difference in saving the lives of both mother and the baby, I am glad she is safe with her baby, when duty calls, one has to respond and I responded Said, Anna chouch Dak, IRC midwife
The arrival of the new baby sparked joy as her mother-in-law joined in celebrations and thanked their hero-midwife Modong, Nayok’s mother-in-law also appreciated the midwife, for saving the life of her grandchild and daughter-in-law, Nyalok was given postnatal counseling and she was encour- aged to always give birth at a health care center should she wish to have other babies in the future.
UNFPA with funding from donors like Canada, Sweden, and Norway, through partners like IRC, has had significant interventions in healthcare systems in the hard-to-reach areas of South Su- dan including responding to refugee and returnee needs.
