1. Mother-child health in Lacor-South Sudan (IMCHA.)

Implementing comprehensive, community-focused primary health care is a major challenge in post-conflict regions such as South Sudan and neighboring Northern Uganda. South Sudan is recovering from two decades of civil war that have destroyed education and health infrastructure. Torit State Hospital, one of the major health facilities in the region, is understaffed and lacks basic equipment. The situation is similar in Northern Uganda. In the District of Gulu, the burden of disease has largely been managed through St. Mary's Hospital Lacor. This region has not been able to achieve the progress in maternal and child health that has been reached in the central part of Uganda.

This project is assesses the implementation and scale of community-focused reproductive and child health interventions in post-conflict settings. It is focusing on establishing evidence to promote sustainability and resilience, with the goal of ensuring access to essential health services by vulnerable populations. The researchers are exploring strategies for improved maternal care and child nutrition services, cervical cancer screening, and support for women's empowerment through outreach efforts from the two hospitals.

Research findings will be validated through ministries of health at the local, district, and national levels to optimize engagement and to encourage adoption of the project's recommendations to strengthen systems. The results of the study will directly inform the ministries of health in South Sudan and in Uganda on related interventions, including a scalable model for improved community-based services. This will address barriers to interventions, reduce maternal and child mortality, and extend the reach of health services to communities that have faced shocks and stressors.

PROJECT LEADERS
Elijo Omoro
Emmanuel Ochola
Christina Zarowsky

INSTITUTIONS
Torit State Hospital
St. Mary's Hospital Lacor
Teasdale-Corti Foundation/Fondation Teasdale-Corti

INSTITUTIONS WEBSITES
http://www.lacorhospital.org
http://www.teasdalecorti.org

TOTAL FUNDING
CA$ 999,660