22 October 2013 - UNMISS and UN agencies in Bentiu held two health education meetings today in Rubkona Care Clinic and the hospital in Bentiu, Unity State, as a run-up to UN Day on 24 October.

The UN team worked with two local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -- South Sudan Trust Rehabilitation and Development Organization and Youth Action against Illiteracy – to organize 20 social mobilisers (local residents who normally assist NGOs as volunteers).

The mobilisers were trained by State Ministry of Health experts on prevention and treatment of malaria and diarrhoea as well as the benefits of blood transfusions and immunization.

The trained participants then spoke about these four major health problems with patients awaiting treatment at the Care Clinic (run by the international NGO Care) in Rubkona (18 October) and Bentiu Hospital (22 October). Most of the more than 200 patients in both clinics were expectant mothers and women with children.

One of the recipients, Nyakuoth Simon, said, “Even though I can’t read, I understand now how important it is to keep the immunization card safe. The doctor will know everything from it even if I don’t understand.”

Social mobiliser Rebecca Nyedei, who delivered messages about prevention and treatment of malaria, said the knowledge she received would be useful for her own family as well.

Ms. Nyedei, who normally works as a volunteer with the South Sudan Trust Rehabilitation and Development Organization, said she would also talk to her neighbors and relatives about protecting their families, especially children.

All participating patients received a bar of soap to reinforce the need for hand washing. But the real challenge is obtaining mosquito nets, which cost around 25 South Sudanese pounds (about $6.00) each at the local market in Bentiu -- a big expense when a family needs several nets.