The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported the formation of “Mother-to-Mother Support Groups” in the Bentiu protection of civilians site in order to improve the health of mothers and newborns.
The mothers move through the Bentiu displaced camp and talk to other mothers, who may be breastfeeding or pregnant. They encourage the women to regularly seek medical care both before and after giving birth.
IOM says the groups also aim to teach people the advantages of in-clinic deliveries and the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a newborn’s life.
The aid group supports a clinic in the Bentiu camp where midwives and traditional birthing attendants are on hand to help new mothers. Last week, IOM midwives delivered 58 babies in Bentiu PoC.
More than 120,000 people have taken shelter at the Bentiu PoC site under UN guard.
Photo: IOM South Sudan