The triplets, born earlier this month at Yambio State Hospital, are currently battling for survival as their parents grapple with the burden of poverty and medical complications

By Emmanuel Mandella

A worrying blend of economic hardship and maternal health challenges has left three newborn babies in Yambio at risk, exposing the growing vulnerability of families struggling to access basic nutrition and healthcare in South Sudan.

The triplets, born earlier this month at Yambio State Hospital, are currently battling for survival as their parents grapple with the dual burden of poverty and medical complications.

Their father, Stephen Rasas, says he is overwhelmed by the situation, unable to provide adequate milk for his children due to limited financial means.

“I cannot manage this situation alone,” Rasas said in a distressed appeal. “Since the powdered milk finished, the babies have only depended on their mother’s breast milk, which is not enough for all three.”

The family’s struggle highlights the harsh economic realities facing many households, where even basic necessities such as infant formula remain out of reach. Rasas explained that his attempt to raise money by selling farm produce yielded only enough to buy a small quantity of milk, which was quickly exhausted.

At the same time, the health condition of the babies and their mother has raised serious concern among caregivers.

The infants have reportedly developed persistent diarrhea, a condition that can be life-threatening for newborns if not urgently managed. Health experts warn that inadequate nutrition combined with infection significantly increases the risk of infant mortality.

Meanwhile, the babies’ mother, Mariam Stephen Rasas, is also in a fragile condition following childbirth complications. Medical staff say she lost a significant amount of blood during delivery and requires proper nutrition and medical care to recover and produce enough breast milk.

“I cannot sleep because the babies are always crying from lack of milk,” she said. “My body is exhausted, and I am losing energy. There is no nutritious food or vitamins to help me.”

Healthcare workers at the facility note that cases like this are not isolated, particularly in economically strained communities where mothers often lack access to adequate postnatal care, balanced diets, and essential supplements.

A midwife at the hospital confirmed that the mother, described medically as gravida nine, para eight, arrived in active labor and required urgent medical attention. While she survived the delivery, her recovery remains slow due to limited support and poor nutrition.

The situation underscores broader systemic challenges in South Sudan’s healthcare and economic landscape, where vulnerable families face compounded risks. Rising living costs, limited access to healthcare services, and lack of social safety nets continue to place mothers and newborns in precarious conditions.

Observers say that without urgent intervention, such cases could become more frequent, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to maternal and child health services remains limited.

For Rasas and his family, the crisis is not only about survival but also about dignity and hope.

“We are trying our best, but it is not enough,” he said. “We need support to save these children.”

The case has sparked concern among community members, with calls for increased attention to maternal health services and support for low-income families struggling to care for newborns.

As the triplets remain under observation, their survival now depends on immediate nutritional support and improved care for their mother—an urgent reminder of the intersection between poverty and health in shaping the fate of the most vulnerable.

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“I cannot manage this situation alone. Since the powdered milk finished, the babies have only depended on their mother’s breast milk, which is not enough for all three,” the babies’ mother, Mariam Stephen Rasas.