Malaria Prevention Measures Bring Hope to Children in Twic County

Peter Hendricks in South Sudan 

Malaria continues to plague South Sudan, with children bearing the brunt of the disease. Despite the predictable annual outbreaks, triggered by factors like flooding, poverty, and an overstretched health system, immunization efforts remain insufficient.

This gap has led to overcrowded health facilities and a persistent cycle of severe cases, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.

To combat this recurring crisis, medical teams in Twic County have introduced mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns and partnered with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to conduct malaria vaccination rounds in Mayen Abun for the second year running.

These measures have dramatically reduced malaria cases, bringing relief to thousands of families.

Adior Manut, a displaced mother from Turalei camp, praised the intervention:

“When the MDA started, I took my five children to get the malaria prevention drugs. None of them got sick. I am deeply grateful because I can’t imagine how they would have suffered without this.”

Between May 2023 and October 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched seven rounds of the MDA campaign to protect children aged three months to 15 years from malaria. By October 2024, 18,700 children had received prophylactic drugs, significantly strengthening their immunity.

Arual Manyok, another grateful mother, highlighted the campaign’s impact:
“Before MSF started bringing malaria drugs, many children were sick. Now, children who received the drugs don’t get malaria, while those who missed out are still falling ill.”

In July 2024, South Sudan introduced the R21 malaria vaccine for children aged five to 24 months in high-burden areas like Twic County. MSF supported the rollout, further reducing malaria incidence and severity.

Preventive interventions have shown measurable results. MSF recorded a drop in malaria positivity rates during consultations, from 79% in 2022 to 70% in 2024 during the peak season. Dr Mohamed Bashir, an MSF medical reference, emphasized:

“The decline in malaria cases and severe admissions proves that measures like MDA and vaccines can break the disease cycle among children.”

The active involvement of local communities contributed to the success of these campaigns. Health promotion teams, local volunteers, and leaders played crucial roles in raising awareness and ensuring that vulnerable children were protected.

Challenges Ahead
Despite these successes in Twic County, malaria remains a critical health challenge in South Sudan. A lack of preparedness and limited resources leave many regions vulnerable to outbreaks, further straining an already fragile health system.

Dr Bashir concluded with a call to action:

“Health organizations’ must invest in prevention and emergency response. The progress in Mayen Abun shows that with the right tools, malaria is preventable.”

For communities across South Sudan, the fight against malaria continues, but the results in Twic County bring hope for a healthier future.