Project profile — Emergency Obstetrics in South Sudan

The expected outcomes for this project include: 1) increased availability and quality of comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care (CEmONC) within hospitals in South Sudan; 2) increased access and utilization of comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care (CEmONC) services among targeted women and their families in South Sudan. The ultimate outcome is reduced maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in Southern Sudan.

Results achieved as of the end of the project in December 2017 include: (1) 182,640 beneficiaries were reached, including 52,843 women who received emergency obstetrical care and 4,898 who received caesarean sections, 6,494 newborns who received emergency care or resuscitation, and 44,563 normal deliveries supported; (2) the construction of maternity waiting homes at two hospitals and maternity wards/surgical theatres at six hospitals was completed; (3) creation of an outreach and referral system to connect pregnant women to maternal care; and (4) over 2,000 health care workers were trained in obstetrical and neonatal care services, including 15 doctors who were trained in obstetrics and gynaecology. These results have contributed to the effective delivery of maternal health services such as the provision of antibiotics, blood transfusions and surgery, and supporting the achievement of safer deliveries in targeted health facilities.