Health system strengthening: an essential part of universal health coverage

Social protection is a human right with direct effects on poverty, resilience and livelihoods. Well-designed programmes can also improve gender equality and reduce women’s vulnerabilities across the life course.

The Third UNFPA Country Programme for South Sudan (2019-2022) aimed to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and to reduce maternal mortality in South Sudan. UNFPA partnered with the Government of South Sudan to strengthen national healthcare systems and deliver integrated sexual and reproductive health information and services. It also provided direct support to crisis-affected populations, particularly women and youth.

Main evaluation method: desk review of monitoring data, reports and relevant research.

Positives:  UNFPA improved the availability and use of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services in South Sudan, ensuring access for more than one million women and girls, including those affected by displacement. The training and deployment of midwives led to increases in skilled birth attendance, which is directly linked to reduced maternal mortality.

Potential shortcomings: It was difficult to achieve sustainable government ownership. The government lacks the institutional capacity, financial resources, and the political commitment needed to maintain the services and systems established by the international community. Challenges included inadequate training for healthcare professionals, high staff turnover, delayed or unpaid salaries, and chronic shortages of medicines and medical equipment.