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Women and residents of Goroyo 2–New Site in Juba County have appealed to the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health to urgently improve access to maternal and newborn healthcare, including training Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and establishing a functional public health facility in the community.
The appeal is contained in a petition dated July 28, 2026, addressed to the Central Equatoria State Minister of Health and presented to the Ministry through Global Voices Organization South Sudan.
Narumanga Julie, who read the petition on behalf of Goroyo 2 women, said the area, which is home to women, children, older persons, youth and persons with disabilities, lacks a functional public health facility capable of providing essential healthcare and maternity services.
She said expectant mothers are often forced to rely on Traditional Birth Attendants or travel long distances to Juba Teaching Hospital, sometimes under difficult and unsafe conditions.
The women warned that delays in accessing emergency obstetric and newborn care have contributed to preventable maternal and infant deaths, birth complications and other serious health emergencies.
The petition highlights the challenges faced by a Traditional Birth Attendant who has assisted women with complicated pregnancies despite lacking formal medical training and adequate equipment.
In one case, the attendant helped deliver a baby in a breech birth. However, both the mother and child experienced severe bleeding and required urgent referral to a health facility.
In another case, a woman went into labour at night during heavy rainfall. Poor road conditions, the lack of affordable transportation and the long distance to the nearest health facility prevented her from receiving skilled medical care in time, resulting in the death of her baby.
Community members say the incidents demonstrate the urgent need for skilled maternal and newborn healthcare, stronger emergency referral systems and an accessible health facility within Goroyo 2.
The petition calls on the government to immediately invest in training TBAs on safe delivery practices, infection prevention, recognition of pregnancy-related danger signs and timely referral of complicated cases to qualified health professionals.
It also recommends providing TBAs with clean delivery kits and basic medical supplies, as well as establishing a structured referral system to strengthen community-based maternal healthcare.
In the longer term, residents are calling for the construction of a fully equipped public hospital in Goroyo 2. They say the proposed facility should provide outpatient and inpatient services, laboratory and pharmacy services, emergency care and a 24-hour maternity unit staffed by skilled midwives, nurses, doctors, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
On August 4, officials from the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health met a delegation from Goroyo 2, led by community representatives and facilitated by Global Voices Organization South Sudan, to discuss the petition and the community’s healthcare concerns.
During the meeting, Viola Francis Keji, the women’s chairperson, reiterated the community’s priorities, emphasizing the urgent need to train TBAs and establish a health facility to improve access to essential healthcare services.
Responding to the petition, the Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Thomas, said the department works closely with communities to address their health priorities.
He said the Ministry, together with the Juba County Medical Director, would conduct a comprehensive assessment of Goroyo 2 to determine the most appropriate interventions and medical support required.
The Director General of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. James Wani, said the construction of hospitals falls under the mandate of the National Ministry of Health.
He encouraged the community to work with the State Ministry to strengthen the existing Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) and improve healthcare services available at the local level.
Central Equatoria State Minister of Health, Hon. Joyce Bakwa Agole, commended the Goroyo 2 community and Global Voices Organization South Sudan for engaging the Ministry through dialogue on public health concerns.
The Minister encouraged Traditional Birth Attendants to pursue additional skills training to eventually progress into professional midwifery.
She also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with health partners to strengthen Primary Health Care Centres across the state.
Agole said the Ministry remains committed to ensuring equitable and effective healthcare service delivery for communities across Central Equatoria State.
The petitioners said their demands are consistent with Article 34 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, which recognizes the right to healthcare, and align with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes healthy lives and seeks to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
Residents acknowledged that constructing a hospital would require time and resources but argued that strengthening the capacity of TBAs could serve as an immediate and cost-effective intervention while longer-term health infrastructure is planned.
“We firmly believe that every woman deserves safe motherhood, every child deserves a healthy start in life, and every citizen deserves access to essential healthcare services regardless of where they live,” the petition states.
The community has reaffirmed its willingness to work with government institutions and development partners to improve access to quality maternal, newborn and general healthcare services in Goroyo 2.