Maternal Mortality Rises in Central Equatoria as Clinics Collapse

Maternal deaths are increasing in South Sudan's Central Equatoria region as medical facilities struggle with severe shortages. After a clinic in Lainya was damaged by heavy rain, only two volunteer doctors remain, operating in a makeshift room while patients are forced to travel to Yei or Juba for advanced care. Lack of reliable transport and the need to pay for ambulance fuel further delay treatment, as illustrated by the case of pregnant woman Abuk, who died shortly after delivering twins.

Local women’s representative Harriet Raba and former nurse‑turned‑administrator Isaac Lupharis report that about eight women die each year in Lainya from pregnancy‑related complications, and that neighboring Wonduruba is left with a single health‑care facility for over 10,000 residents after the 2016 conflict destroyed nine clinics. Both cite chronic government neglect and persistent financial crises as key drivers of the worsening health outcomes.