Advancing Maternal Health in South Sudan: A Holistic Approach to Safe Motherhood

Introduction

Maternal health remains one of the most pressing public health priorities in South Sudan. Despite commendable progress in rebuilding health systems and expanding essential services, the country continues to experience high maternal mortality rates compared to regional averages (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Improving maternal health requires an integrated approach that combines access to skilled care, maternal education, and system-wide policy support. These elements together can crea...

Current State of Maternal Health

South Sudan’s maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in the world, reflecting long-standing challenges such as inadequate access to skilled birth attendants, insufficient health infrastructure, and socio-economic inequalities (UNICEF, 2023). Many expectant mothers still give birth at home without trained assistance, increasing the risk of complications such as haemorrhage, sepsis, and obstructed labour. Factors such as insecurity, poor roads, and limited transport further restrict timely access ...

However, significant progress has been made through initiatives such as the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Strategy and partnerships with UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (Ministry of Health South Sudan, 2022). Continued commitment to these programmes can strengthen local capacity and reduce preventable maternal deaths.

Expanding Access to Skilled Care

Improving access to skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth is central to reducing maternal mortality. Investing in the training, deployment, and retention of skilled birth attendants—including midwives and nurses—should remain a national priority. Establishing more midwifery schools and supporting continuous professional development can help build a sustainable workforce (World Bank, 2024).

In rural areas, mobile clinics and community birthing centres can increase coverage. Integrating maternal services with existing primary healthcare facilities ensures that even the most remote communities benefit from safe delivery services. Government and development partners can work collaboratively to ensure that every county has an adequately equipped maternity ward and referral system. The use of solar energy to power rural health facilities can also improve service reliability, particularly in off-gr...

Enhancing Maternal Health Education and Community Awareness

Maternal health outcomes improve significantly when women are empowered with information and support. Health education—delivered through antenatal care sessions, radio programmes, and community groups—enables mothers to make informed decisions about nutrition, hygiene, and birth preparedness (UNESCO, 2023). Strengthening communication between healthcare providers and mothers fosters trust and encourages greater utilisation of maternal health services.

Engaging community leaders, male partners, and traditional birth attendants in maternal health promotion is equally vital. When cultural norms are respected and men are included in dialogue, community support for maternal services increases. Literacy initiatives for women also play an indirect but powerful role, as education correlates strongly with improved maternal and child health outcomes (UNICEF, 2023). These interventions can be scaled up by supporting local NGOs and women’s groups that already engage...

Integrating Policy, Systems, and Partnerships

Maternal health cannot be addressed in isolation. It requires coordinated efforts across government sectors and sustained partnerships with international organisations. The South Sudanese Ministry of Health’s RMNCAH strategy provides an important framework, but implementation depends on effective coordination, resource allocation, and data-driven monitoring (Ministry of Health South Sudan, 2022).

Decentralised planning, where counties are empowered to design and implement locally relevant maternal health initiatives, can enhance responsiveness and accountability. Integration with education, nutrition, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programmes can further improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA can continue to provide technical and logistical support, while promoting national ownership of health systems development.

Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

To achieve measurable improvements in maternal health outcomes, South Sudan can pursue the following practical recommendations:

1. Strengthen Skilled Birth Attendance:
Expand training programmes for midwives, nurses, and obstetricians; ensure equitable distribution of skilled staff across all counties.

2. Improve Health Infrastructure and Equipment:
Invest in maternity wards, transport for referrals, and reliable electricity and water supplies in health facilities.

3. Promote Maternal Health Education:
Integrate community education campaigns with antenatal services, focusing on nutrition, danger signs, and family planning.

4. Encourage Male and Community Involvement:
Involve fathers, elders, and faith leaders in maternal health dialogues to build community support for facility-based births.

5. Strengthen Data Systems and Policy Implementation:
Enhance maternal health surveillance, integrate digital record-keeping, and ensure accountability through transparent monitoring.

6. Foster Partnerships for Sustainability:
Align donor support with national strategies to ensure coordinated and sustainable investment in maternal health systems.

Each of these recommendations aligns with existing frameworks and can be implemented through collaborative partnerships between government, civil society, and international partners. The focus should remain on building capacity, empowering communities, and ensuring that no mother is left behind.

Conclusion

Improving maternal health in South Sudan is not only a public health goal but a moral and developmental imperative. Every mother deserves access to skilled care, reliable facilities, and the knowledge to safeguard her own wellbeing. By investing in education, professional training, and integrated systems, the government and its partners can continue building a future where childbirth is safe, supported, and dignified. This vision can only be realised through collective commitment—driven by compassion, evi...

References

Ministry of Health South Sudan (2022) Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Strategy 2022–2026. Juba: Government of South Sudan.
UNESCO (2023) Women’s Health and Education in Africa: Building Knowledge for Change. Paris: UNESCO.
UNICEF (2023) South Sudan Maternal and Child Health Annual Report. Juba: UNICEF South Sudan
World Bank (2024) Investing in Human Capital Maternal and Child Health in South Sudan Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group
World Health Organization (WHO) (2023) Maternal Mortality and Health System Strengthening in South Sudan. Geneva: WHO