Knowledge Management Series for Health 2026: Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination in South Sudan - Pre-Validation Assessment: Key Findings and Strategic Priorities (January 2026)

South Sudan remains among the ten countries globally yet to achieve Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE). Between 2012 and 2023, the Ministry of Health conducted three rounds of Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) targeting high-risk areas. In July 2025, a joint WHOUNICEF-MoH assessment was conducted in five counties to verify readiness for MNTE validation.

Assessment Objectives?

• To confirm that all counties in South Sudan are at low risk for MNT, compatible with elimination and if the country is ready for the lot quality assurance – cluster sampling (LQA-CS) validation survey for MNTE.

• To verify that all counties are at low risk for MNT based on core and surrogate MNTE indicators.

• To assess readiness for the MNTE LQA-CS validation survey.