Juba Teaching Hospital has received a package of healthcare infrastructure and digital health improvements funded by MTN South Sudan, aimed at strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services and expanding access to digital health solutions in the country.
The projects were officially handed over on Monday as MTN South Sudan concluded its 2026 edition of the annual 21 Days of Yellow Care campaign, a volunteer initiative through which employees dedicate time and resources to community development projects.
Held under the theme “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community,” the handover ceremony brought together government officials, healthcare workers, development partners, and MTN staff to mark the completion of a series of interventions designed to improve healthcare delivery at South Sudan’s largest referral hospital.
Among the key projects delivered were the restoration of the hospital’s CT scan machine, the solarization of the neonatal care unit to ensure a reliable electricity supply, and the provision of essential medical equipment to support maternal and child healthcare services.
MTN also introduced a range of digital health solutions, including communication systems intended to improve referrals between healthcare facilities, patient follow-up mechanisms, and toll-free channels that can be used to disseminate health information and support maternal healthcare services.
Speaking during the ceremony, MTN Fintech Chief Executive Officer Francis Matseketsa said the company was committed to supporting both healthcare and financial inclusion through technology-driven solutions.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand the use of digital payments in South Sudan through MTN Mobile Money (MoMo), noting that partnerships with institutions such as Juba Teaching Hospital would enable patients to make payments electronically while reducing dependence on cash transactions.
According to Matseketsa, the transition to digital financial services has the potential to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and support broader economic transformation efforts across the country.
Representing MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer Mapula Bodibe, Chief Officer for Legal, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Mayor Angong said the projects reflected the company’s belief that technology can play a vital role in addressing critical social challenges.
He said the interventions were selected to address practical healthcare needs while ensuring long-term benefits for mothers, newborns, and healthcare providers.
“The improvements demonstrate how innovation can be used to strengthen essential services and improve lives beyond connectivity,” he said.
Development partners attending the event welcomed the initiative as a significant contribution to South Sudan’s healthcare sector.
UNICEF representative Jean Wilner Bassette commended MTN South Sudan for extending its corporate social responsibility efforts into healthcare, particularly in the area of maternal and newborn health.
He said investments in health infrastructure, communication systems, and digital solutions would help expand access to quality healthcare services while strengthening health systems that serve vulnerable communities.
Bassette also revealed that UNICEF and MTN South Sudan are exploring collaboration on secure digital payment platforms that could improve humanitarian cash transfer programmes and promote financial inclusion among vulnerable households and frontline health workers.
Health professionals described the interventions as timely investments in a healthcare system that continues to face significant resource constraints.
South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association President Repent Khamis said the restoration of the CT scan machine and the installation of solar power in maternity and neonatal units would improve diagnosis, treatment, and emergency response services.
Government officials echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between the public sector, private companies, and development organizations in addressing healthcare challenges.
Closing the ceremony, National Ministry of Health Director General Dr. Anthony Lupai praised MTN South Sudan for demonstrating how private sector investment can complement government efforts to improve healthcare services.
He said the initiative underscored the shared responsibility of building a stronger health system capable of delivering quality care to communities across South Sudan.
