Midwives Rebuilding Trust in South Sudan’s Health System Amidst Crisis
By Denilson Deneki
In a nation long burdened by conflict, displacement, and fragile infrastructure, midwives are quietly leading a revolution in resilience. As South Sudan continues to grapple with humanitarian emergencies, midwives are doing more than delivering babies—they are restoring faith in healthcare where hope has been hardest to find.
Commemorating the International Day of the Midwife under the global theme “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis,” health leaders in South Sudan emphasize the need to look beyond emergency care and recognize the transformative power of midwives in rebuilding broken systems and communities.
“Midwives are not only first responders—they are foundational to recovery,” said Dr. Anin Ngot Mou, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health. “Their work restores continuity, trust, and dignity in the most vulnerable settings.”
Alongside Ms. Suzanne Mandong, UNFPA South Sudan Representative a.i., Dr. Mou co-authored a joint op-ed urging greater investment in midwifery as a pillar of long-term health system resilience. They argue that when midwives are supported and empowered, the benefits extend far beyond maternal health—strengthening community cohesion, empowering women, and enhancing preparedness for future crises.
Take the example of Mary Sadia, a midwife serving in a Juba IDP camp. Her care offers more than clinical support—it brings stability to families facing displacement, poverty, and loss. In remote and crisis-affected areas, midwives like Mary become the most consistent health presence, often bridging the gap between emergency response and everyday care.
According to a 2023 UNFPA assessment, South Sudanese midwives provide a wide spectrum of sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn services—even amidst conflict and flooding. They also act as community educators, counselors, and advocates, often operating without adequate supplies or protection. Yet, through humanitarian deployments and digital learning platforms introduced during COVID-19, many have gained leadership skills and technical knowledge that enhance their ability to serve.
Despite their proven impact, midwives continue to face institutional barriers, from exclusion in decision-making to inadequate training and unsafe working conditions. The op-ed calls for a shift in policy to formally recognize midwives as decision-makers, not just implementers, in health and humanitarian strategies.
With over 2.4 million women of reproductive age among the 9.3 million in need of humanitarian assistance, South Sudan’s health recovery depends heavily on those who can reach the hardest-to-reach. Midwives have already laid the foundation for that future—what they need now is recognition, protection, and investment.
“They’ve shown us what resilience looks like,” said Ms. Mandong. “It’s time to match their commitment with ours.”
