Reproductive Health Policy: Present and Future Prosperity Through Safe Motherhood and Healthy Childhood

The policy aims to strengthen reproductive health interventions and facilitate the achievement of global, regional, and national goals in improving health, well-being, and quality of life for all South Sudanese. The policy is based on the recommendations of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which emphasizes the need for countries to meet the reproductive health needs of individuals and couples throughout their lives. The African Union Maputo Plan of Action, which advocates for integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), also serves as a guiding framework for the policy. The Ministry of Health has been working to establish systems and mechanisms for coordinating the integration, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SRH services in the country since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. The Department of Reproductive Health is mandated to ensure effective coordination of the country's SRH programs and service provision at all levels. The policy has been developed through a highly consultative process involving various groups of stakeholders at various levels, representing the aspirations of the people and government of the Republic of South Sudan to achieve an improved reproductive health status. The policy is in line with South Sudan's national commitments and development goals as enunciated in the South Sudan Development Plan 2011-2013 and the Health Sector Development Plan (2012-2016). The policy framework and principles are guided by a mission statement, policy theme, policy goal, policy objectives, expected outcomes, conceptual framework, and policy imperatives. The policy emphasizes the importance of creating an enabling environment for undertaking effective RH programming and interventions, including service provision. The policy identifies priority areas in reproductive health, including service-related areas and systems and cross-cutting areas. The implementation framework outlines the policy implementation approach, development of RH strategies, management and coordination framework, RH financing framework, financial resources, monitoring and evaluation framework, and coordination. The policy aims to provide an effective national platform for strengthening reproductive health interventions in South Sudan and facilitating the achievement of relevant global, regional, and national goals. The ultimate aim is to improve health, well-being, and overall quality of life for all South Sudanese. The policy has been developed to address the very high maternal mortality disease burden in South Sudan, which is a major public health concern. The policy recognizes the need for comprehensive and integrated SRH services, which are essential for improving quality of life and stabilizing the country's population. The policy is a demonstration of South Sudan's commitment to the achievement of the ICPD goals and targets within its national boundaries. The policy encourages all South Sudanese, Non-Governmental Organizations, and development partners to actively support the implementation of the policy and ensure that the national reproductive health goals are achieved. The policy provides a framework for promoting and implementing reproductive health programs and interventions in South Sudan, with the ultimate aim of improving health, well-being, and overall quality of life for all South Sudanese. The policy is a critical step towards achieving the country's national commitments and development goals in the area of reproductive health.