Pochalla Primary healthcare center (PHCC). (Photo: Abass Othow).

A medical specialist encourages expectant mothers nearing labor to report to health facilities, after a woman died due to unattended labor complications in Pochalla County of Pibor Administrative Area.

37-year-old Ajollu Achan, a mother of seven passed away while undergoing two days of labor pain at home.

She first visited a local health facility on Monday for a routine follow-up, and a midwife advised her to report to the facility immediately once she has any severe pain.

But unfortunately, she reportedly opted to remain at home for two days until she died on Wednesday.

“The awareness we always give to the community is that all pregnant women should deliver at the health facility and this is the message we always give them,” said Amin Opiew, the County Health Director said he regrets the incident.

He says the woman died due to the delay at home. Opiew also advises expectant mothers to follow the instructions of the midwives during the monthly visit.

“The deceased mother came to the hospital on Monday, and she was told by the midwives that if she felt any complication or pain she must report to the facility. It was Wednesday night when the incident happened, and this is the first case that happened in the area. we have 2 medical doctors in the facility.”

Opiew said the government-run facility receives an average of 20 pregnant women every week.

South Sudan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, at 789 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to a 2020 report by BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Most of these deaths are due to complications during labor and delivery.

The report recommends that institutional delivery under the care of skilled attendants is a proven, effective intervention to avert some deaths.