A Healthier Future for South Sudan's Families

Since 2012, International Medical Corps has operated three nursing and midwifery schools, or Health Science Institutes, including Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, Wau Health Sciences Institutes and Kajo Keji Health Sciences Institutes, graduating 523 midwives and 159 registered nurses.

Students trained by International Medical Corps, like Samuel, Bona, and Harriet, are eager to offer maternal and child healthcare services and mentor aspiring health practitioners in their communities. By sharing their knowledge and experience, they can help build capacity and increase healthcare access throughout the country.

Samuel is 25 years old and in his final year of the three-year midwifery program at Kajo-Keji Health Science School. “I grew up seeing how expectant mothers suffered while giving birth. Some even died in the arms of unskilled midwives. I chose this course so I can help save lives,” he explains. After he graduates, Samuel’s skills will address maternal and child health care needs in Kajo-Keji county and South Sudan in general.

“I feel so good about this training,” he says. “With the skills I’ve acquired, I can now provide safe delivery to expectant mothers, manage complications during pregnancies and offer counseling services. Thanks to the support of International Medical Corps, I will be able to help my community.”

Bona, a third-year nursing student at Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, opted for this course because of the limited number of skilled nurses in the country. “I witnessed a person bleeding to death due to gunshot wounds,” Bona explains. “No nurses were there to attend to him. That incident stuck in my mind and I chose this course so I could help save lives.”

The 30-year-old father of three began the course in 2017, and hopes to graduate next year. Through the training courses, he has acquired skills in nursing care, ward management, computers and other areas crucial for his career. Upon graduation, he plans to go back to his community to treat patients and teach at the state’s health institute, sharing his nursing skills and knowledge with other aspiring health students in his community.

Harriet is one of the women studying midwifery at Kajo-Keji Health Science School. The 28-year-old began the three-year course in 2017 and hopes to graduate next year. As a child, Harriet dreamed of becoming a midwife and helping save the lives of pregnant women.

“I had a close relative who died while giving birth to a child, so I grew up with the intention of becoming a midwife, to support expectant mothers and help deliver their children safely,” she says. Harriet is proud of the skills she has learned thus far. “I can now identify critical complications in expectant mothers, act swiftly and conduct safe deliveries, and my communication skills have greatly improved.”

Thanks to the GlobalGiving community and other generous donors, International Medical Corps continues to increase access to healthcare by building the capacity of South Sudan’s health system through training programs that target health professionals and key community members.