MTN South Sudan has launched a major healthcare initiative at Juba Teaching Hospital aimed at strengthening maternal and child health services, improving critical medical infrastructure, and expanding access to healthcare information through digital technology.
The initiative is being implemented under the company’s annual Yellow Care Campaign, which runs from June 1 to June 21 under the theme “Expanding Equitable Healthcare for Communities.”
This year’s campaign focuses on addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing mothers, newborns and vulnerable patients in South Sudan, where access to quality healthcare remains limited for many communities.
Speaking during the launch, MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer, Mapula Bodibe, said the company selected Juba Teaching Hospital because of its critical role as the country’s main referral health facility, serving patients from across South Sudan.
She said the initiative seeks to support efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality by strengthening services that directly impact mothers and newborns.
“South Sudan continues to face significant maternal health challenges, with high rates of maternal and child mortality. By supporting mothers and children, we are helping to build a healthier future for the country,” Bodibe said.
As part of the campaign, MTN will support improvements to essential healthcare infrastructure, including systems that ensure uninterrupted services in critical care units.
The company will also contribute to upgrading medical equipment and improving the hospital’s capacity to respond to the needs of patients seeking specialized treatment.
A major component of the initiative involves the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery and access to information.
MTN plans to introduce voice and SMS-based platforms that will provide pregnant women, mothers and caregivers with timely health information, medication reminders, appointment notifications and guidance on maternal and child health.
The telecommunications company says the digital tools are designed to bridge information gaps and ensure that families receive accurate health advice regardless of their location.
“We are a technology company, so we are focusing on technology-driven solutions that can improve access to healthcare information and services,” Bodibe said.
The initiative also includes a public fundraising campaign through MTN Mobile Money, allowing customers, employees and members of the public to contribute directly to healthcare improvements at Juba Teaching Hospital.
According to MTN, all funds raised will be directed toward priority healthcare needs identified by hospital management.
The launch attracted representatives from government institutions, development partners and the health sector, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.
UNICEF Country Representative to South Sudan, Noala Skinner, praised MTN for its continued investment in community development and its commitment to improving the lives of women and children.
She said the partnership reflects a shared vision of ensuring that every child and mother has access to quality healthcare services and reliable health information.
“MTN plays a vital role in expanding digital access and enabling health communication, which aligns closely with UNICEF’s support to the Ministry of Health in strengthening health promotion and awareness among mothers, caregivers and communities,” Skinner said.
She noted that timely access to health information can help families make informed decisions, seek medical attention early and improve health outcomes for children and mothers.
Skinner added that corporate-led initiatives such as the Yellow Care Campaign demonstrate how partnerships between the private sector, humanitarian organizations and public institutions can contribute to addressing development challenges.
Juba Teaching Hospital management welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will strengthen service delivery and improve patient care.
Hospital Director General, Gift Gibson Nathan, said the support will help address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure while improving services that benefit both mothers and the wider population.
He emphasized that investments in maternal and child healthcare remain essential as demand for services continues to increase.
According to hospital officials, improved infrastructure, better access to information and strengthened medical services are expected to enhance the quality of care available to patients while easing some of the challenges faced by healthcare workers.
The initiative comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face significant healthcare pressures, including high maternal mortality rates, limited healthcare infrastructure and shortages of specialized medical services.
Through the Yellow Care Campaign, MTN hopes to contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at improving health outcomes and ensuring that more mothers and children receive the care they need.
