Alarming Maternal Mortality Rate in South Sudan Highlighted by New Medical Reports

In a recent revelation, it has come to light that South Sudan is grappling with an alarmingly high rate of maternal deaths, as per the latest world medical reports. The dire situation was addressed during the opening ceremony of a four-day training session on the Integration of Population, led by Hon Majur Babur, the Chairperson of the Special Committee on South Sudan Population and Development.

Expressing concern over the escalating crisis, Hon Majur stated, “We are losing our women every day due to the high rate of maternal deaths in South Sudan. It is imperative that we take urgent steps to address this pressing issue. Population is not merely about numbers; it is about quality and the ability to produce impactful work.”

Adding to the discussion, Suzy Albert Yanga, the Director General of Aid Coordination at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, emphasized the critical role of population dynamics in shaping policies to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges. She underlined the need to prioritize the well-being of communities through efficient service delivery and strategic planning.

Dr. Kidan Abraha, Program Advisor at UNFPA South Sudan, echoed the importance of population data in effective planning, highlighting the positive progress witnessed in the country. The event, aimed at integrating population issues into national and sub-national planning, was organized by the Ministry of Finance & Planning with support from UNFPA South Sudan.

South Sudan currently holds a distressing rank just above Chad for the world’s highest maternal mortality rate, with 1,150 deaths per 100,000 live births. This number has been steadily increasing in recent years, exacerbated by ongoing crises, food insecurity, violence, and gender disparities. The lack of adequate healthcare services and high levels of internal displacement further compound the challenges faced by expectant mothers in the region.

As Concern’s former country director for South Sudan, Áine Fay, aptly summarized, “This is a country where simply being a woman demands heroics.” The urgent need for collective action to address the maternal mortality crisis in South Sudan cannot be overstated.