Global Health Policy (choose a topic) - Essay Example

The IRIN (2015) report indicates that maternal mortality in South Sudan is above 2000 in every 100,000 live births. Statistically, the figure is far much higher than other countries. For instance, World Health Organization reports that the figure is 1000 times higher than the rate in Sweden. However, the figure representing the maternal mortality could be an underestimation (Nyamtema, 2015). This can be attributed to the fact that many deaths are not recorded. Partly, this is because more women give birth in villages.

Such environments are characterized by lack of medical facilities and lack of trained medical professionals. As a result, most of pregnant women suffer from infections that result from open wounds. Hemorrhage is also another underlying factor that fuels up maternal mortality. Blood vessels rupture during delivery due to the pressure of pushing. Studies show that hemorrhage is common due to lack of proper medical attention and unhealthy maternity environment, which impedes the efforts of controlling the bleeding.

Consequently, women die because of excessive bleeding. Accessing medical services in South Sudan is also a major challenge. In this case, families that live in rural areas are the most affected (The Sudan Household Health Survey, 2010). Lack of sufficient medical facilities in the rural areas is to blame for higher maternal deaths. It is important to note that South Sudan is an underdeveloped country. For this reason, the economy of the country is very poor (World Bank, 2010). The people are impoverished as well.

In addition, high maternal death rates are generated through early marriages. According to Christian Connection for International report (2014), young girls drop out of primary education and contract early pregnancies. Girls as young as 13 years old discontinue their education and opt to marry elderly men. This policy brief will