Improving healthcare in South Sudan - in pictures

A health worker consults patients in Tali Payam, near a site where the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) is building a new health clinic. The country faces major development challenges. A fifth of all children are acutely malnourished Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

Inside Lui hospital in Tali Payam. Amref is working with South Sudan’s Ministry of Health to produce a national healthcare plan, train health workers and provide a primary healthcare project serving 150,000 people Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A clinical officer examines a patient at the Tali primary health centre Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A laboratory technician checks for malaria at the Tali primary healthcare centre lab. Malaria is a big problem in the country. Early detection is vital to reduce death rates. According to Unicef, malaria remains one of the biggest threats to health in the country Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A mother brings her sick child to the inpatient ward at the Tali primary healthcare centre. In this region, one in four children dies before the age of five Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A woman waits for test results at the health centre. Community groups in the region are being trained in basic healthcare in an effort to reduce trips to health centres Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A midwife, who has received training from Amref, examines a pregnant mother. South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

Local builders construct a new medical unit and latrines in Tali Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

Although the NGO has been involved in building and hiring staff, the Ministry of Health provides medical supplies Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

Women and children collecting drinking water from a pump. Poor hygiene and sanitation as a result of a lack of safe and reliable water is a big concern for the new country Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

Contracters from Aqua Fund, a partner organisation of Amref's working in South Sudan, repair a water pump in Tali Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF

A water officer oversees the use of a new water pump that has been built in Tali Photograph: Sven Torfinn/AMREF