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On the Road: Photos from S. Sudan, Nursing & Midwifery College Students and Principal

May 17, 2010 - South Sudan

Proud New Nursing & Midwifery Students and Principal

May 2010

After leaving Uganda, Jonathan heads to Southern Sudan to visit our Nursing & Midwifery College and to meet the new students who have recently begun classes on May 10th, 2010.

Southern Sudan hold ones of the the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality in the world. When Real Medicine landed in the new country to address this issue we realized that, more than anything, they needed trained staff to fill the facilities already in place throughout the country.

This is the first school of it’s kind and marks a decisive step toward curbing the infant and maternal mortality now plaguing Southern Sudan. Once the 3 year course is complete, our select students will go on to staff the now vacant clinics that dot the countryside and become the front line of care for mothers and children in need.

Here are just a few photos sent from the field with a full report to follow.

New Student Orientation Class

Southern Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the fifth highest in the world, at 1,700 deaths per 100,000. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning. Fewer than 20 certified midwives and even fewer registered nurses exist in all of Southern Sudan.

Bilha Achieng (left), RMF Project Coordinator Southern Sudan, and Petronella (right), Principal of the College

Real Medicine Foundation, in collaboration with the Government of South Sudan, the UNFPA, the WHO, St. Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and in partnership with and with financial support from World Children’s Fund, is establishing the first College of Nursing and Midwifery. The consortium aims to provide a scalable working model for this college that will offer a 3 year diploma for Registered Nursing and Midwifery and may be extended to other strategic locations within the country.

See more of Jonathan’s photos here.

Categories: South Sudan Voices from the Field or View All

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