Humanitarian Comms

MTN South Sudan campaigns to support maternal and child health needs

Pan-African service provider MTN has this week launched the 2026 edition of its 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign. Described as its flagship employee volunteerism campaign, it continues from 1 June until 21 June.

Now in its 19th year, the campaign, MTN says, has mobilised thousands of its employees to support initiatives – from education and healthcare to youth development and economic empowerment.

This year’s theme is Expand Equitable Health for Every Community, a theme that highlights structural healthcare challenges in a continent that carries approximately 25% of the global disease burden but has only 3% of the world’s health workforce. The greatest access gaps, says MTN, are in rural and underserved communities, disproportionately affecting women, children and vulnerable populations.

Across MTN’s markets during Y’ello Care 2026, employees and partners will implement practical community-led initiatives to expand access to preventative, primary and responsive healthcare. 

In South Sudan for example, the campaign focuses on advancing maternal and child health while supporting broader community wellbeing through practical, people-centered healthcare interventions. It is implemented by MTN South Sudan in partnership with the country’s Ministry of Health, the Juba Teaching Hospital, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Planned key initiatives include  the solarisation of the Antenatal Care Unit at Juba Teaching Hospital, provision of sustainable power solutions for incubators supporting premature newborns and the repair and restoration of the hospital's CT scan machine.

Also on the agenda are the provision of essential medical equipment including ultrasound machines, suction machines and autoclaves.

The use of data, digital tools and basic telecoms to enhance service delivery will also play a part. For example, there will be dissemination of SMS-based health education messaging and voice-based health messaging to expectant mothers and families. MTN also promises zero-rating maternal health content to improve access to critical healthcare information and the introduction of a voice-based health messaging system for expectant mothers.

In addition, a USSD MoMo donation platform will be provided to enable staff and stakeholders to contribute towards maternal health initiatives.

Throughout the 21 days MTN South Sudan says its employees will work alongside healthcare workers, local leaders, volunteers and partners to deliver interventions tailored to community health needs while promoting long-term health awareness and inclusion.



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