South Sudan has one of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates in the world. This critical issue necessitates a comprehensive approach to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and survival. Our project aims to: 1) Reduce maternal mortality ratio by 20%. 2) Decrease newborn mortality rate by 15%. 3)Increase access to quality healthcare services for 10,000 pregnant women and 20,000 newborns. 4) Strengthen healthcare systems and promote community engagement. Our project will employ a multi-faceted approach, including: Upgrading healthcare facilities and providing essential medical equipment and supplies. Training healthcare workers on emergency obstetric and newborn care. Strengthening healthcare management and leadership and Promoting community engagement and awareness on maternal and newborn health.
Our project expects to: 1) Improve access to quality healthcare services for 20,000 pregnant women and 15,000 newborns and 25,000 under-fives. 2) Enhance healthcare systems and management.3) Increase community awareness and engagement on maternal and newborn health. 4)Reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates. Our project targets: Pregnant women, Newborns, under-fives Healthcare workers and Local communities. The project will be implemented over 12 months with a total budget of approximately $165,000. Our project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically: SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all and SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Project Information
Title:
Improving Maternal And Newborn Health Outcome & Survival Towards Reduction Of Mortality In South Sudan
Concept Note:
Location:
South Sudan
Date:
The project aims to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and survival in South Sudan. By increasing access to quality healthcare services, strengthening healthcare systems, and promoting community engagement, we believe that our project will contribute to reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates in South Sudan.
South Sudan faces a critical situation regarding maternal and newborn health, with extremely high mortality rates due to limited access to skilled healthcare, poor infrastructure, and ongoing conflict. The country ranks among the worst globally, with: 1,223 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, 39 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births and 26 stillbirths per 1,000 births. Only 3.5 health workers are available per 10,000 people, and more than 56% of the population lives more than 5 kilometers from a health facility. Quality care remains inaccessible to many, with: 80% of women giving birth at home and only 10% of births assisted by skilled providers.
Approximately 17,000 neonates die unnecessarily within 28 days, representing 43% of deaths among all children each year. The death rate is approximately 8 mothers per 1,000 live births and 40 children/1,000 live births, with 75% of these deaths completely preventable. In South Sudan, the key factors contributing to poor maternal and newborn health outcomes includes: 1) Conflict and displacement: Ongoing conflict and displacement disrupt healthcare services, limiting access to essential antenatal care, delivery assistance, and postnatal checkups. 2) Poor health infrastructure: Lack of proper healthcare infrastructure, including roads and functional health facilities, hinders pregnant women's ability to reach necessary medical care. 3) Low awareness and health practices: Many communities lack knowledge about essential maternal and newborn health practices, leading to risky behaviors during pregnancy and childbirth. 4) Limited healthcare workforce: Shortage of skilled healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates the issue and 5) Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty, malnutrition, and limited education levels among women contribute to poor maternal health outcomes.
To improve maternal and newborn and under-five health outcomes in South Sudan, our project key activities will focus on increasing access to skilled birth attendants, promoting antenatal care, enhancing family planning services, implementing community-based health education, strengthening health infrastructure, and addressing social determinants of health, including through initiatives like: healthcare access and quality, community engagement and behavior change, health system Strengthening and Addressing Social Determinants. The following project activities will be undertaken to improve maternal, newborn, and child health and reduce mortality within the 18 months of project implementation.
- Expand skilled birth attendant availability (months 1-6)
- Train midwives and ensure their equitable distribution particularly in rural areas
- Increase facility-based deliveries (Months 1-18)
- Promote awareness campaigns encouraging women to deliver in health facilities with skilled providers (months 1-12)
- Improve access to essential maternal health commodities (Months 1-18)
- Secure consistent supply of necessary medications, including oxytocin, and essential medical equipment for emergency obstetric care (Months 1-15)
- Strengthen antenatal care (ANC) services (Months 1-15)
- Provide comprehensive ANC packages including nutritional counselling, screening for complications, and immunization (Months 1-15)
- Implement postnatal care initiatives for mothers and newborns (Months 1-18)
- Provide postpartum checkups and support for breastfeeding practices (Months 1-18)
- Conduct extensive community outreach campaigns to educate women and families about the importance of seeking prenatal care, identifying danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth
- Utilize radio, mobile health platforms, and community outreach workers to educate women and families about maternal and newborn health practices (Months 1-18).
- Promote early prenatal care seeking and emphasize the importance of early ANC visits and seeking care for potential complications (Months 1-18)
- Increase access to family planning services and educate couples on informed choice regarding family size (Months 1-12)
- Develop culturally appropriate messages to address harmful traditional practices that affect maternal and newborn health (Months 1-18)
- Deploy mobile health units to reach remote communities with limited access to healthcare, providing antenatal checkups, delivery services, and postnatal care (Months 1-18)
- Train and deploy CHWs to actively identify pregnant women, provide health education, accompany women to health facilities, and monitor newborns post-delivery (Months 1-18)
- Train and equip healthcare and community providers with necessary skills in maternal and newborn care, including emergency obstetric care, newborn resuscitation, and management of complications (Months 1-6)
- Improve availability of essential medicines and medical supplies at health facilities, including essential drugs for postpartum hemorrhage and newborn care (Months 1-18).
- Establish efficient referral pathways for complicated pregnancies to higher-level healthcare facilities (Months 1-18).
- Provide regular training for healthcare providers on essential newborn care, including resuscitation techniques and management of common complications (Months 1-18).
- Upgrade existing health facilities to ensure adequate space, equipment, and supplies for safe deliveries (Months 1-15)
- Conduct health education to empower women and improve health seeking behaviors (1-18)
- Implement programs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, which can negatively impact maternal health (Months 1-18).
- Promote access to nutritious food and address malnutrition during pregnancy and lactation
- Collaborate with traditional leaders and community influencers to promote positive health behaviors (Months 1-18).
- Planning, and implementing interventions to promote ownership and behavior change (Months 1-18).
- Conduct community mobilization, awareness, and sensitization activities (Months 1-12).
- Enroll mothers and newborns for follow-up and home visits (Months 1-18).
Partner with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations to effectively address complex issues (Months 1-18).
- Pregnant women
- Newborns
- Under-fives
- Healthcare workers and Local communities
The project is expected to:
- Improve access to quality healthcare services for 20,000 pregnant women and 15,000 newborns and 25,000 under-fives.
- Enhance healthcare systems and management.
- Increase community awareness and engagement on maternal and newborn health.
- Reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.
The project will be monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure that the objectives are met. The monitoring and evaluation plan will include: Baseline survey, Quarterly progress reports, Mid-term evaluation and Final evaluation.
The total budget for the "Improving Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Outcome and Survival Towards Reduction of Mortality" project is estimated at $165,000 (In words: One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand United States Dollars) for 18 months.
The project aims to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and survival in South Sudan by increasing access to quality healthcare services, strengthening healthcare systems, and promoting community engagement. With a total budget of $165,000, the project is expected to benefit 10,000 pregnant women and 20,000 newborns.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP: GIVE TO AFRICA
This project is fiscally sponsored by Give to Africa in partnership with Better Health Care Organization.
