The South Sudan Medical Journal exists to inform, educate and positively influence the development of Health Services in South Sudan.
The Journal is published quarterly in February, May, August and November.
Vision
To see well-trained, skilled professionals delivering high quality healthcare to the population of the South Sudan and beyond
Mission
To publish research and clinical guidance that will positively influence the development of healthcare services in South Sudan and beyond.
Scope
SSMJ publishes all types of articles: original research, reviews, survey reports/KAP studies, discussions and commentaries as well as case studies, clinical guidance and letters to the editor, in all fields of medicine and public health.
The SSMJ is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
eISSN 2309-4613
SSMJ is listed on the African Journals Online (AJOL) and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Visit these sites to learn more.
Mailing List
Join our mailing list to receive timely notifications of our quarterly issues and other communications.
SSMJ New Email Address:
Latest Issue:
Vol 18. No 3. August 2025
EDITORIAL
One Health: A collaborative approach to health security in South Sudan
Edward Kenyi
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) is closely linked and interdependent.”
In the current health environment where everything is connected, the One Health Initiative is a welcome strategy, bringing together the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Animal Resources. The need for integrating disease control and prevention has been recognized for a long time, particularly with the emergence of zoonotic diseases that cross-infect from animals to humans.
With the support of the WHO, South Sudan recently launched the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), a “comprehensive, multi-sectoral roadmap to strengthen the country’s core capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies, in line with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). It is a plan that embodies the spirit of ‘One Health’, integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems to address the major public health threats profiled in the country using the WHO strategic tool for assessing risk.”
Statement on the Position of the Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of South Sudan (AGOSS) on the Use of Paracetamol During Pregnancy and Its Linkage with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Among Children
September 2025
Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen is an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever and fever-reducing medication. The drug is chemically named as N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, with its international brand name” Panadol”. It is classified as an analgesic (pain reliever) and also as antipyretic (fever reducer). It is produced in different formulations; these include tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, suppositories and intravenous (IV).
AGOSS understands that pregnant women in South Sudan may require safe, easily accessible, and effective medications to alleviate fever, pain, or discomfort during pregnancy.
Based on the best available data, paracetamol (acetaminophen) is still one of the safest options for managing mild to moderate pain and decreasing fever during pregnancy, when used at approved therapeutic levels.
There is presently no conclusive scientific evidence that paracetamol, when used as intended, causes neurodevelopmental abnormalities (such as autism or ADHD) in children or congenital deformities in infants. There are limits to observational studies that show probable connections, such as potential confounding factors. AGOSS also acknowledged many statements on the use of acetaminophen released by well-known worldwide regulators and professional obstetrics associations.