South Sudan: Juba Teaching Hospital Support

Renovation of Broken Septic Tank: Q4 2016

March 31, 2017

Dr. Taban Martin Vitale

Summary of Activities

Juba Teaching Hospital is directly funded by the central government through the National Ministry of Health of South Sudan. Medical supplies and maintenance are handled through the National Ministry of Health, with supplements coming from United Nations agencies and NGOs. The supplies are irregular, forcing patients to buy most of the consumables and pharmaceuticals from private pharmacies. Due to the high level of poverty and current economic situation, most vulnerable patients are not able to afford modern medicine, hence increasing patient mortality in Juba.

During this quarter RMF-sponsored activities include:

  • Refurbished the broken septic tank for Juba Teaching Hospital (work still in progress)
  • Facilitated the improvement of RMF’s Juba storage facility
  • Supported the hospital’s human resource capacity by providing one RMF registered nurse, now serving in the Gynecology department.
  • Continued to support RMF cleaners attached to the Pediatric department to supplement the few cleaners maintained by the Ministry of Health (MOH)
  • Procured and provided adequate cleaning materials for the Pediatric department to keep the wards clean
  • Continued to support high speed Wi-Fi internet service at RMF’s office and the Maternity ward
  • Continued monitoring and mentorship of trained healthcare professionals on the usage of Health eVillages tablets
  • Facilitated and coordinated meetings with the MOH, UN agencies, and other partners on how to improve services at Juba Teaching Hospital
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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Repaired Septic Tank

Reducing Infections

The renovation work on the broken hospital septic tank has reduced WASH-related infections and is eliminating a public health hazard.

Antenatal Care Unit

Continued Care and Learning Environment

The improved/upgraded, well-furnished, well-maintained Antenatal Care Unit (ACU) continued to provide quality antenatal care services for women and their families. The ACU also provides a favorable learning environment for students from JCONAM, Juba Health Science Training Institute, Juba School of Nursing, Central Equatoria School of Nursing/Midwifery, the Juba University College of Medicine, and visiting teams.

Health Education

Better Pregnancy Outcomes

There is now an adequate waiting area for conducting health education, which is positively influencing the health habits of women and thus pregnancy outcomes; it is also encouraging child spacing and family planning services.

Cutting Down on Infectious Disease

Improved Sanitation and Isolation

  • The installation of doors at the Infectious Disease unit has reduced the spread of WASH-related illnesses like cholera within the hospital.
  • The Pediatric inpatient wards are kept clean, reducing nosocomial infections, and the premises are conducive to the health and well-being of healthcare providers, patients, and visitors.

Waste Management Guidelines

Improved Sanitation

We facilitated and performed regular monitoring and supportive supervision of JTH healthcare workers and janitors on implementation of waste management policy guidelines. RMF continued to work closely with JTH administration and public health officers to ensure proper implementation of waste management policy guidelines and regular waste removal.

Treating Common Illnesses

Improving Quality of Life

Common Illnesses Treated This Quarter Include:

  • Malaria
  • Diarrheal Diseases
  • Intestinal Worms
  • Respiratory Tract Infections
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Skin Infections
  • Measles
  • Malnutrition
  • Enteric Fever
  • Burns
  • Trauma (i.e. Traffic Accidents)
  • Gunshot Wounds
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Background

& Objectives

Background

Juba Teaching Hospital, the only referral hospital in the whole country of South Sudan, is located in its capital Juba, Central Equatoria State. With an estimated population of 10.16 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 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.

Juba Teaching Hospital is directly funded by the central government through the National Ministry of Health, and supported by Real Medicine Foundation, Medical Mission International, UN agencies and other NGOs. Our overarching goal is to improve the quality and sustainability of medical and surgical services provided at Juba Teaching Hospital.

Objectives

  • Improve patient wards and build infrastructure within Juba Teaching Hospital starting with the Pediatric wards.
  • Assist in improving conditions for providing health care at Juba Teaching Hospital, including the policies and management of regular and medical waste.
  • Rehabilitate and/or purchase new medical equipment.
  • Provide basic medical supplies, disposables and pharmaceuticals for the Pediatric Department, complementing those provided by the Ministry of Health.
  • Organize on-site clinical training, beginning with general equipment usage.
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More

Photos

Click to enlarge

Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

Direct project beneficiaries are approximately 444,680 people living in Juba and the immediate surrounding areas

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Success

Stories

Jubilant children fully recovered from simple malaria; both are to continue with medications from home.

A man well-recovered following amputation, using a wheelchair provided by RMF.

A child well recovered from RTI.

A father caring for his child who has fully recovered from malaria.

Renovation of Pediatric Ward 5 in progress.