# Maternal healthcare challenges in East and Central Africa

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maternal-healthcare-challenges-in-east-and-central-africa
> Updated: 2026-08-14T14:17:36.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Maternal mortality and healthcare access are facing critical challenges across parts of East and Central Africa. In South Sudan’s Central Equatoria region, maternal deaths are rising due to clinic collapses, severe medical shortages, and lack of reliable transport. In areas like Lainya, facilities have been damaged by weather, leaving patients to rely on makeshift rooms and volunteer doctors while facing high costs for ambulance fuel.

In Sudan’s Central Darfur region, the UNFPA has warned of life-threatening conditions in towns such as Golo, where a lack of essential supplies like oxytocin and anesthetics forces expectant mothers to travel long distances on foot to reach hospitals capable of performing C-sections. 

Additionally, Rwanda is addressing a shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists, which has resulted in long waiting times and difficulties managing specialized cases such as teenage pregnancies.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: Maternal health and humanitarian aid face critical challenges in Africa

Maternal health and humanitarian crises persist in Sudan and South Sudan due to war and funding gaps, while Rwanda works to address specialist shortages in reproductive healthcare.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maternal-health-and-humanitarian-aid-face-critical-challenges-in-africa

### 2026-07-31: Maternal Mortality Rises in Central Equatoria as Clinics Collapse

Maternal deaths are rising in Central Equatoria, South Sudan, as clinics collapse, transport costs rise, and volunteers struggle to provide basic care.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maternal-mortality-rises-in-central-equatoria-as-clinics-collapse

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Cite as: Maternal healthcare challenges in East and Central Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maternal-healthcare-challenges-in-east-and-central-africa