Connecting Mothers to Care: MTN South Sudan Uses Technology to Support Maternal and Child Health

For Hellen Akongo, a 28 year old mother of three from Sherikat says keeping track of antenatal clinic appointments can sometimes be challenging. The journey to Juba Teaching Hospital is long, and between caring for her family and daily responsibilities, clinic dates can occasionally slip by unnoticed.

“Sometimes I forget my clinic days, so receiving reminders will help me plan and prepare myself and my child,” says Hellen. “The distance from Sherikat to Juba Teaching Hospital is far, and these reminders will help me organize myself better and make sure I don’t miss my appointments.”

Hellen’s experience reflects a reality faced by many mothers across South Sudan. Distance, competing responsibilities, and limited access to timely information can often affect attendance at critical antenatal care appointments, impacting both maternal and child health outcomes.

Recognizing the important role that communication plays in healthcare access, MTN South Sudan is leveraging the power of connectivity and technology to help ensure mothers do not miss critical healthcare appointments.

As part of the 2026 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, themed “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community,” MTN South Sudan spent Day 2 at the Antenatal Care (ANC) Unit of Juba Teaching Hospital, engaging directly with mothers and caregivers to support improved access to health information and services.

Through this employee volunteerism programme, MTN collected contact information from 50 mothers attending ANC services to facilitate future appointment reminders and strengthen communication between healthcare providers and beneficiaries. The data collection exercise will continue throughout the 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, enabling more mothers and caregivers to benefit from timely health information and reminders.

In addition, information relating to immunization services for children under the age of five was collected to support future communication efforts aimed at improving awareness and adherence to routine childhood vaccination schedules.

While healthcare facilities provide essential medical services, connectivity plays a critical role in ensuring that information reaches those who need it most. By utilizing mobile technology and communication platforms, MTN South Sudan is helping bridge information gaps and support stronger connections between healthcare providers, mothers, and caregivers.

The initiative demonstrates how technology can contribute to improved health outcomes by ensuring that critical reminders and health information reach families in a timely and accessible manner.

As South Sudan’s leading telecommunications provider, MTN remains committed to using the power of connectivity for good, supporting communities through innovative solutions that address real-life challenges and create meaningful social impact.

The maternal and child health initiative forms part of MTN South Sudan’s broader contribution to the 2026 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, which seeks to expand equitable health access through employee volunteerism, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven solutions.

Together, we are connecting communities, empowering lives, and expanding equitable health for every community one day at a time.