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INCREASE HEALTH BUDGET AGOSS TO GOVERNMENT

Juba, South Sudan: The Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of South Sudan (AGOSS) has released a comprehensive set of resolutions following its 4th Annual Scientific Conference held on 16 November 2025 in Juba. The resolutions were officially read by Dr. Garang Dakjur Lueth, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the School of Medicine, University of Juba.

The gathering brought together senior clinicians, researchers, development partners, and government officials to address South Sudan’s most urgent reproductive, maternal, and adolescent health concerns.

South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate stands at 692 deaths per 100,000 live births, among the highest globally. Delegates attributed this to low health funding, weak infrastructure, poor referral systems, postpartum hemorrhage (60%), unsafe abortion (38%), and leadership challenges.

AGOSS called on the government to increase health sector financing to 15% of the national budget in line with the Abuja Declaration, strengthen maternal death surveillance, promote respectful maternity care, and reinforce the Boma Health Initiative. The association also urged the enactment of the Midwives and Nurses Council Bill and the Allied Health Professional Bill.

According to Data presented at the conference it’s revealed there is a worrying trend: 84% of 2,287 semen samples analyzed in Juba were abnormal, indicating a growing public health concern. AGOSS recommended establishing fertility services in major public hospitals such as Juba Teaching Hospital, Wau Teaching Hospital, Kuajok Hospital, and Malakal Teaching Hospital.

Menopause remains one of the most overlooked women’s health issues in South Sudan. The conference resolved to intensify community awareness and encouraged junior clinicians to consider menopause in their diagnostic processes as more women silently struggle with related symptoms.

Acknowledging that family planning is a basic human right for women, AGOSS expressed concern over male dominance in decision-making that restricts contraceptive use. The association reaffirmed the need for voluntary family planning services, increased community sensitization, adolescent-friendly SRHR services, and programs to reduce teenage pregnancies.

With 80% of births happening at home, obstetric fistula remains a growing burden. AGOSS called for expanded awareness on the importance of facility-based deliveries, more trained fistula surgeons, and strengthened rehabilitation support for survivors.

The resolutions commit AGOSS to bolstering partnerships with the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, NGOs, universities, and private sector partners. Delegates also highlighted alarming gender indicators child marriage at 52%, adolescent birth rate at 158 per 1,000, and one of the highest GBV rates in the region.

The association urged the government to pass the pending GBV Bill, empower women to make decisions concerning their health, and create platforms for youth engagement in SRHR research and community mobilization.

AGOSS pledged to continue supporting postgraduate OBGYN training programs with partners including the College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Juba, and ECSACOG. The association also resolved to extend the annual scientific conference to three days, publish scientific proceedings, and establish an AGOSS Research Grant for young researchers.

The 4th AGOSS Annual Scientific Conference concluded with renewed commitment to advancing maternal and reproductive health and strengthening South Sudan’s medical research and education landscape. The resolutions read by Dr. Garang Dakjur Lueth underscore a unified call for stronger systems, better policies, and improved health outcomes for women and families.