In South Sudan, WHO supports:

strengthening the delivery of the basic package of health services

community-based initiatives

expansion of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness

improvement of maternal and child health

prevention of blindness and eye care. 

South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world at more than 2054 out of every 100 000 live births. This is mainly due to inadequate access to primary and curative health services and a low demand for, and awareness of, preventive services.

Despite efforts to train midwives, skilled attendance at births has remained very low compared to the neighbouring countries. Under-5 mortality is 135 out of every 1000 live births.

WHO is supporting the Government to cut the mortality rate. With support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), WHO is constructing maternity units in eight State hospitals. The pilot maternity unit was constructed in Bor State hospital. This project will run for a period of five years.