South Sudan: Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery
60 New First-Year Students Recruited: Q2 2016
August 31, 2016
Dr. Taban Martin Vitale
Summary of Activities
During this quarter, RMF sponsored first, second, and third-year nursing and midwifery students at the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM) through:
- provision of uniforms,
- skills laboratory equipment,
- clinical training equipment,
- books,
- stationery,
- and Information Technology (IT) equipment.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Expanding the Program
Future Plans
During this quarter, staff prepared the schedule and the facility to receive 30 nursing and 30 midwifery first-year students recruited to join JCONAM at the beginning of next quarter (July). With the inclusion of second-year midwifery students on the Maternity ward’s delivery roster, students are able to conduct/participate in 10-20 supervised deliveries per day. These numbers are, however, meant to increase as JCONAM looks into expanding the number of practice sites in the near future.
Working Together
Local Partnerships
Several years of experience derived from working with JCONAM and other partners has enabled RMF to develop a vision of increasing its level of support in South Sudan. The Ministry of Health, through the support of RMF and other stakeholders, is working to replicate JCONAM in other states. This will translate into continued growth in the number of nursing and midwifery diploma institutes in South Sudan and potentially new nursing/midwifery college partnerships for RMF.
Encouraging Staff Members
A Visit from Martina
During this quarter, staff coordinated a meeting held with RMF Founder and CEO Dr. Martina C. Fuchs and college master trainers (RHC/RMC and psycho trauma trainers). The meeting with Dr. Fuchs newly motivated trainers and encouraged them to continue training college students on the aspects of RHC/RMC and psycho trauma support.
Utilizing New Technology
Health eVillages Preloaded Tablets
The two college tutors were provided with the Health eVillages preloaded tablets and are able do quick reference checks during lectures and clinical work. They are also able to supervise and mentor the nurses/midwives which in turn has improved patient care in the facility, as healthcare professionals are able to do quick reference checks and provide health education using the devices.
Meeting Basic Needs
Delivery of Medicine
RMF procures and stocks the JCONAM dispensary with essential medicines; the students and the college staff receive medication from JCONAM for simple medical conditions. During this quarter, staff delivered an adequate quantity of essential medicines for JCONAM students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. Students and staff members benefit from these readily available medicines in any medical emergency.
Changing Lives
Graduates Provide Needed Services
RMF will continue the sponsorship of JCONAM nursing and midwifery students throughout their first, second, and third-year studies. Upon graduation after the three-year course, registered nurses and midwives have been and will continue to provide much-needed services within South Sudan’s states and counties at the facility level. The services offered by this cadre of graduates are also expected to extend into the community through health education, community mobilization, and home care, among others.
Background
& Objectives
Background
South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest in the world – 789 women per 100,000 live births. This means that 1 in 50 women will die from pregnancy-related causes, as compared to 1 in 4,900 in developed countries. Currently in South Sudan, only about 19% of deliveries take place at a health facility, and despite improvements, there is still a critical shortage of midwives throughout the country. Real Medicine Foundation initiated and co-founded South Sudan’s first-ever accredited college of nursing and midwifery with St. Mary’s Hospital Juba Link, Isle of Wight, and the college was established in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of South Sudan, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, CIDA, and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and in partnership with and with financial support from World Children’s Fund.
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 with education in the ROSS (new designation for the new Republic of South Sudan, replacing GOSS).
- Provide leading edge skills laboratory and library for the students.
- Provide improved clinical setting for student training.
- Provide highly qualified instructors and tutors for the duration of the three-year program.
- Provide an unprecedented model of healthcare sector capacity building for South Sudan.
- Provide a sustainable solution to South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate, both among the highest in the world.
More
Photos
Click to enlarge
Numbers
Served
Through the support of the consortium of partners, currently 81 students are fully sponsored for the three-year education program. This includes the provision of school uniforms, books, stationery, tutors, and monthly allowances.
More Reports on: Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery Archive
Country Page: South Sudan
Initiative Page: Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery
