Recent Reports

Article Investigating Near-Miss Events

International Journal of Women’s Health

Co-authored by RMF Founder and CEO Dr. Martina Fuchs, along with Fekadu Mazengia Alemu, Dr. Taban Martin Vitale, and Dr. Mergani Abdalla Mohamed Salih, "Severe Maternal Morbidity (near-miss) and its correlates in the world’s newest nation: South Sudan" was recently published in the _International Journal of Women’s Health. The paper analyzes the frequency and causes of near-miss events at RMF-supported Juba Teaching Hospital, recorded through a cross-sectional study conducted from from March 20 to June 12, 2016.

This original research and peer-reviewed article…

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million.

The first graduation class of…

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million.

Photo: A second year…

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million.

Second year midwifery student…

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million.

Photo: Nursing and Midwife…

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million.

Photo: Dr. Martina Fuchs…

Photo selection throughout from freelance photographer Eliza Deacon taken of our students (above) at the Juba College of Nursing & Midwifery and at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

Project Background:

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal…

Project Background

South Sudan’s maternal mortality remains the highest in the world, at 2,054 deaths per 100,000 live births; 200,000 women die in childbirth every year according to the 2006 South Sudan Health Survey. High levels of maternal mortality are linked to: poor access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, access to skilled birth attendants and access to emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Fewer than 20 certified nurses and even fewer registered midwives, 4 in total, exist in all of South Sudan, a population of 9.6 million. 

Photo: The first class…

Project Goals:

To improve the quality of and access to professional health care services by imparting the necessary skills through a three-year diploma program in either nursing or midwifery at the first College of Nursing and Midwifery in South Sudan accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Juba University that offers a diploma of Registered Nursing and Midwifery Status.

Project Objectives:

Provide model courses in Registered Nursing and Registered Midwifery in the first National Health Training Diploma Institute in South Sudan

Provide a curriculum recognized by all ministries associated…

Project Goals: To improve the quality of and access to professional health care services by imparting the necessary skills through a three-year diploma program in either nursing or midwifery at the first College of Nursing and Midwifery in South Sudan accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Juba University that offers a diploma of Registered Nursing and Midwifery Status. 

Project Objectives:

Project Goals: To improve the quality of and access to professional health care services by imparting the necessary skills through a three-year diploma program in either nursing or midwifery at the first College of Nursing and Midwifery in South Sudan accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Juba.

Project Objectives:

1. Provide model courses in Registered Nursing and Registered Midwifery in the first National Health Training Diploma Institute in Southern Sudan 2. Provide a curriculum recognized by all ministries associated with education in the GOSS 3. Provide leading…

Our partners in the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, the UNFPA, wrote the following report on a clinical mentoring workshop held on May 18th-May 20th, for a selection of the Nursing amd Midwifery students.

Background:  Clinical Practice for students in training is essential in developing their skills and competences for effective patient care. Students in the clinical settings needs to be guided supervised and mentored by equally qualified staff to bring out these competencies. Most staffs are good in what they do but some find it difficult to transfer their knowledge to others. This may be…

Project Goals:

To improve the quality of and access to professional health care services by imparting the necessary skills through a three-year diploma program in either nursing or midwifery at the first College of Nursing and Midwifery in South Sudan accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Juba University that offers a diploma of Registered Nursing and Midwifery Status.

Project Objectives:

1. Provide model courses in Registered Nursing and Registered Midwifery in the first National Health Training Diploma Institute in Southern Sudan 2. Provide a curriculum…

Project Goals:


To improve the quality of and access to professional health care services by imparting the necessary skills through a three-year diploma program in either nursing or midwifery at the first College of Nursing and Midwifery in South Sudan accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Juba University that offers a diploma of Registered Nursing and Midwifery Status.

Project Objectives:

1. Provide model courses in Registered Nursing and Registered Midwifery in the first National Health training Diploma institute in Southern Sudan.
2. Provide a curriculum recognized by all ministries associated with education in…

It is with relief and pride that we read the results of the South Sudanese referendum vote for independence from the North. Our project in Sudan , the new Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, was directly impacted by the ability of the referendum to be carried out peacefully and with positive results for the South.

Our staff in Juba is now busy again as the first class of 40 students gets started on their second semester of Nursing and Midwifery programs. There is still much to be done to assure the College is well funded and sustainable,…

Students’ Academic Progress

After a directive from the Ministry of Health for all Health Training Institutes to close on the 14th of November, the project management held several discussions with the Directorate of Training to allow the College to prepare for their examinations as they had previously planned to have the end of semester examinations during the second week of December. The examinations were successfully held from the 15th-19th of November and the college closed thereafter.

The general performance was quite impressive with the majority of the female students performing well. 18 students were below the…

This past third quarter witnessed the actual implementation of the plans put in place for the start of the first term for the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, under the co-ordination of the RMF/WCF sponsored Project Assistant Manager, Bilha Achieng.

Photo: First Class of Midwifery Students

As of December 2013, the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery will have graduated an initial group of 40 students in both Nursing and Midwifery. They will be the pioneering class in Southern Sudan with Diploma level certificates. There is currently a very high shortage of this level of trained…

The RMF Proust Questionnaire (like the ones in the back of Vanity Fair magazine) with our South Sudan Project Coordinator, Bilha Achieng:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness is when one is at peace with oneself and others. When someone finds inner peace by being comfortable in one’s own skin, this is when they can spread it out to others.

What is your favorite activity outside of work?

My favorite activity outside work is travelling. I like visiting and exploring new places.…

We are very proud to announce that the first incoming class of the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery has finally arrived and commenced with orientation and preparatory classes. The progress over the past six months towards the commencement of this first class has been significant and worth noting. The coordinated efforts of all stakeholders under the direction Ms. Bilha Achieng, RMF Assistant Project Manager and prior UN Intern at the UNFPA, have successfully addressed a number of complex issues and challenges pertaining to the schools development.

Jonathan and Petronella, the Principal of the College

…

Upon arrival in Juba, and by way of interviewing the UNFPA’s Dr. Alexander Dimiti, the National Program officer for Reproductive Health, we were given a great summary of the troubled history of Sudan since the mid 1950’s as background to why programs such as the new Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery we are supporting are so necessary. The first war between north and south lasted from 1955-1972, with a 10 year period of peace and an autonomous government for Southern Sudan, and then another war which lasted from 1983 to 2005. As you can imagine this did…

With the national elections for Southern Sudan just around the corner on April 11th, the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery initiative has continued to move forward through the incredible efforts of RMF’s Sudan Country Director Michael Lear and our in country Program Director Bilha Achieng. We are hoping, that regardless of the election results, the government of Southern Sudan will continue to be a supportive and essential partner. Bilha has been diligently coordinating the efforts of the whole consortium with the end goal of officially opening the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery for student orientation on May…

Progress over the past three months towards the commencement of the first class of the Southern Sudan College of Nursing and Midwifery at the Juba Teaching hospital is worth noting. The coordinated efforts of all stakeholders under the direction of Ms. Bilha Achieng, UN Intern at the UNFPA have addressed a number of complex issues pertaining to the schools development and with favorable outcomes.

These issues include:

It also bears mention that the consortium supporting the program has…

The political uncertainty and security concerns in Southern Sudan on the horizon associated with 2011 have many NGO’s anticipating a slowing of the decision making process within the government in the months to come. Our program however, remains central to the present mission within GOSS, The UN and now the U.S. Government, and is recognized as one of the most critical for Southern Sudan. Even with many potential obstacles, the College of Nursing and Midwifery is moving forward.

Over the past eight months, RMF has helped guide stakeholders forward to ensure the program gains traction…

Four years after the CPA in 2005, Southern Sudan remains void of any functional and accessible health care sector. Largely due to the sheer lack of capacity building within the country, the absence of qualified professional health care staff at literally every level of the health care sector leaves the approximately 9.6 million Southern Sudanese at very high risk.

Internationally, nurses and midwives comprise approximately 70% of health care sector staff. In Southern Sudan they are expected to comprise almost 90% and presently this tier is virtually non-existent, according to Mrs. Janet Michael, Ministry of Health, Director General,…

The recent mass exodus of aid groups in Northern Sudan at the demand of President Bashir has left tensions high in the region regarding NGO intent and purpose. While not directly influencing activity in Southern Sudan, these events have presented a new challenge to align with the Southern Sudanese government on a shared vision for the benefit of the people of Southern Sudan.

After a thorough needs assessment of the primary health care sector of Juba, Southern Sudan, Real Medicine Foundation joined with St. Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight, UK and the Government of Southern Sudan, to initiate…

Real Medicine Supports Capacity Building in Southern Sudan's Health Care Sector Michael Lear, Director International Relations, Country Director, Sudan

The recent mass exodus of aid groups in Northern Sudan at the demand of President Bashir has left tensions high in the region regarding NGO intent and purpose. While not directly influencing activity in Southern Sudan, these events have presented a new challenge to align with the Southern Sudanese government on a shared vision for the benefit of the people of Southern Sudan.

After a thorough needs assessment of the primary health care sector of Juba, Southern Sudan,…

In February we’ll be visiting Juba, capital of Southern Sudan to meet with the Ministry of Health and UN agencies to discuss the placement of a Primary Health Care clinic in the region. In addition we will be discussing support for a Nurses and Midwifery training program for the Juba Teaching Hospital.

Currently Southern Sudan has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the country and a physician to patient ration of 1:100000 in most areas. A quick glance at the statistics paints a challenging situation for the people of Southern Sudan. Juba Teaching Hospital has…

Because of the generous support of Humanity United, Pam and Pierre Omidyar, Michael Wilson, and The Maya Foundation, RMF was able to initiate the procurement of critically needed supplies in Kampala to be shipped to Juba Teaching Hospital in the course of late December/early January.  856 boxes of medicines, medical supplies and equipment, more than 13,000 pounds of urgently needed supplies were provided to Juba Teaching Hospital on January 10, 2014.

Juba Teaching Hospital, Juba, South Sudan

Since tensions started in South Sudan in mid-December 2013, more…

Pam and Pierre Omidyar have announced that they are personally adding another $62,500 to Humanity United’s grant to provide urgently needed medical supplies, medicines, medical equipment and support for Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan, the only referral hospital in the whole country.

Humanity United, one of Pam and Pierre Omidyar’s humanitarian foundations, had announced on December 30th that it will provide Real Medicine Foundation with a $50,000 grant to provide supplies, medicine and support for Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan. With this additional funding from the Omidyars, RMF has now purchased urgently needed supplies and equipment…

Humanity United announced today that it will provide Real Medicine Foundation with a $50,000 grant to provide supplies, medicine and support for the Juba Teaching Hospital in South Sudan. The aid comes at a critical time for the country, with violence since mid-December displacing over 180,000 people.

To learn more about the grant the Humanity United press release has been posted below and for a recent update on the hospital click here.

DECEMBER 30, 2013, PRESS RELEASE, SOUTH SUDAN HUMANITY UNITED PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE JUBA TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTH SUDAN

San…

Background:

Juba Teaching Hospital is the only referral hospital in the whole country of South Sudan and is located in Juba City, Central Equatoria State. With an estimated population of 9.58 million basing on annual population growth of 3% from a population census conducted in 2008 and lack of proper functioning primary health care facilities upcountry, many South Sudanese have nowhere to go to but to this national referral hospital. Military and police hospitals, if any, are non-functional country wide, forcing soldiers and officers to share the limited facilities with civilians.

A…

Juba Teaching Hospital is the only referral hospital in the whole country of South Sudan and is located in Juba City, Central Equatoria State. With an estimated population of 9.58 million basing on annual population growth of 3% from a population census conducted in 2008 and lack of proper functioning primary health care facilities upcountry, many South Sudanese have nowhere to go to but to this national referral hospital. Military and police hospitals, if any, are non-functional country wide, forcing soldiers and officers to share the limited facilities with civilians.

A student nurse attending to Mr Solomon before…