Aweil State Hospital unveils new neonatal ward to boost infant care

SOUTH SUDAN—Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), in collaboration with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health, has inaugurated a newly constructed 40-bed neonatal inpatient ward at Aweil State Hospital in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State.

This modern facility is designed to provide better care for sick, low birth weight, and premature babies, addressing a critical gap in neonatal services in the region.

Previously, the hospital’s neonatal ward had only 33 beds and was frequently overwhelmed, sometimes accommodating more than 45 babies at once.

Such overcrowding made it difficult to provide essential care, including life-saving interventions like resuscitation.

According to Denis Mbae, the MSF project coordinator for Aweil, the old ward was consistently at or over capacity, making it challenging for both staff and families to ensure the best possible care for vulnerable infants.

The new neonatal unit not only increases the number of available beds but also brings a host of improvements in design and functionality.

Importantly, it is located closer to the maternity ward, reducing the distance mothers need to walk to reach their babies for breastfeeding.

This proximity is expected to make it easier for mothers to provide essential care and support to their newborns, especially during the critical early days of life.

Moreover, the upgraded ward is equipped with space for incubators and life-support equipment, allowing medical teams to better support infants whose vital organs are not yet fully developed.

Dedicated areas for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) have also been included in the design.

KMC involves skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their babies, a practice proven to improve health outcomes for low-birth-weight infants by regulating body temperature, enhancing bonding, and promoting breastfeeding.

This specialized unit is the only one of its kind in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, offering a spacious and well-organized environment that prioritizes infection prevention, effective monitoring, and improved working conditions for healthcare staff.

By bringing all neonatal patients under one roof, the hospital can now provide more consistent follow-up and closer observation, which is vital for the survival and recovery of at-risk newborns.

MSF has been supporting Aweil State Hospital since 2008, focusing on pediatric and maternity care in a region where many families struggle to access timely medical services due to a lack of nearby health facilities and transportation challenges.

In 2024 alone, MSF assisted with the delivery of 7,664 babies at the hospital, highlighting the ongoing need for expanded and improved neonatal care.

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