South Sudan

The South Sudan country profile provides an overview of the community health system in South Sudan according to the most up-to-date policies available. It particularly focuses on the country’s community health providers, the structures that support them, and the services they deliver across many health areas – with a spotlight on family planning. The profile is targeted towards policymakers, program implementers, donors, researchers, and others interested in the country’s community health system.

The table below captures key information from the full, downloadable country profile. The complete CHS Catalog data set is also available for download, including information for South Sudan.

Community Health Quick Stats

Main Community Health Policy / Strategy | Last Updated
  • Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services (BPHNS) | 2011
  • Health Sector Development Plan (2012–2016) (HSDP) | 2012
  • Policy Framework (2013–2016) | 2013
Number of Community Health Provider Cadres

5 main cadres

  • Community health workers (CHWs)
  • Community midwives (CMWs)
  • Home health promoters (HHPs)
  • Maternal and child health workers (MCHWs)
  • Traditional birth attendants (TBAs)
Recommended Number of Community Health Providers
  • 1,600–2,152 CHWs1
  • 408–568 CMWs1
  • Information not available in policy
  • 1,218–1,584 MCHWs1
  • Information not available in policy2
Estimated Number of Community Health Providers
  • At least 1,894 CHWs and MCHWs combined3
  • 96 CMWs3
  • Information not available in policy
  • At least 1,894 CHWs and MCHWs combined3
  • Information not available in policy
Recommended Ratio of Community Health Providers to Beneficiaries
  • 2 CHWs: 1 community-level health facility4
  • 1–2 CMWs: 1 community-level health facility4
  • 1 HHP: 20–50 households5
  • 2 MCHWs: 1 primary health care unit (PHCU)
  • Approximately 1 TBA: 1 village
Community-Level Data Collection Yes
Levels of Management of Community-Level Service Delivery

National, state, county, community (payam, boma, village)
Key Community Health Program(s)

Various community health programs aligned under the primary health care service delivery system

1 Rough calculation based on a) approximately 609–792 primary health care units (PHCUs) and 204–284 primary health care centers (PHCCs) in the country, given varying estimates; and b) an ideal number of approximately 2 CHWs per health facility (PHCU and PHCC), an ideal number of 2 MCHWs per PHCU, and an ideal number of 1 CMW per PHCU or 2 CMWs per PHCC. There is contradictory information in the BPHNS about this.
2 Policy indicates that the MOHS is trying to phase out TBAs, instead training them as professional midwives to conduct deliveries. It may also recruit them for other roles, such as CHWs and HHPs.
3 According to South Sudan’s National Reproductive Health Policy, as of 2011, there was a total of 1,894 CHWs and MCHWs (combined) and 96 CMWs trained in reproductive health. However, separate NGO documentation indicates over 4,000 CHWs in 2011, though it does not specify how this cadre was defined.
4 Refers to either a PHCU, which covers approximately 15,000 people, or a PHCC, which covers approximately 50,000 people.
5 Corresponds to approximately 134–335 people. However, policy also indicates that this is general guidance, and that communities should decide the coverage area themselves.

Key Policies and Strategies

Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Planning and Coordination, Republic of South Sudan. 2011. Health Management Information System Participant Manual. Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

Ministry of Health, Government of Southern Sudan. n.d. Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health Strategy (2009 – 2015) (Draft).

———.2007. Southern Sudan Essential Medicines List (accessed September 2016).

Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan. 2011a. Approach to Working with Health Committees (Draft). Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2011b. Home Health Promoters Implementation Guide. Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2011c. Home Health Promoter Curriculum Outline. Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2011d. The Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services in Primary Health Care. Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2012a. Clinical Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage in South Sudan (Draft). Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2012b. Health Sector Development Plan (2012-2016). Juba: Republic of South Sudan (accessed September 2016).

———. 2013a. Family Planning Policy. Juba: Republic of South Sudan (accessed September 2016).

———. 2013b. Family Planning Training for Health Facility Staff in South Sudan: Trainer’s Handbook. Juba: Republic of South Sudan.

———. 2013c. National Reproductive Health Policy. Juba: Republic of South Sudan (accessed September 2016).

———. 2013d. National Reproductive Health Strategic Plan (2013-2016). Juba: Republic of South Sudan (accessed September 2016).

———. 2013e. Policy Framework (2013-2016). Juba: Republic of South Sudan (accessed September 2016).

South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission. 2015. South Sudan National HIV Policy (Draft). Juba: Republic of South Sudan.