South Sudan: Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM)
Striving to Reduce Child and Maternal Mortality Rates: Q3 2017
December 01, 2017
Summary of Activities
- Continued support of college human resources through payment of South Sudanese national tutor’s salary.
- The two master trainers for the Health eVillages project continued to benefit from the tablets preloaded with medical materials.
- Continued to support the consultative process in developing policies/guidelines and strengthening the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association.
- Provided support to the National Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan and project partners in the coordination and implementation of project activities over the reporting period. Support and activities are in line with the approved JCONAM annual work plan.
- Continued facilitation of interlinkages with UNFPA, MOH, IMC, and other stakeholders to guarantee quality assurance in the implementation of both nursing and midwifery curricula in the diploma program.
- Coordinated RMF activities with other organizations and UN agencies supporting the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM) by participating in meetings and conferences.
Graduates
The program’s graduates have been and will be deployed to their respective state hospitals, county hospitals, and primary healthcare centers to bridge the gap between the high demand for skilled services and few available service providers.
Full Report
Results &
Accomplishments
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New Students
Annual Intake Growth
45 nursing and 40 midwifery students were recruited and joined the college in August 2017.
Through the leadership of the MOH, Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM) has increased its annual intake from 60 to at least 80 students.
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Academic Opportunities
Bridge Course Development
Stakeholders in nursing and midwifery education and services are undertaking the development of a bridge course for community/enrolled midwives to be accepted into JCONAM’s diploma training program with the ability to complete the course in less than 3 years.
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Hands-On Experience
Juba Teaching Hospital
JCONAM students in clinical practice continued to provide healthcare services at Juba Teaching Hospital (JTH) and primary healthcare centers within the city of Juba, bridging gaps in human resources and improving quality of care.
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College Tutors
Providing Student Support
The two college tutors provided with Health eVillages preloaded tablets continued to do quick reference checks during lectures and clinical work, hence improving the quality of service delivery.
The two college tutors continued to supervise and mentor the nurses/midwives provided with Health eVillages preloaded tablets, 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.
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A Model Example
Leading the Way
The Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery curriculum approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) is being used as a model document alongside JCONAM structures for replication in other states.
In addition to establishing other diploma institutes in South Sudan, the MOH is working on bilateral agreements with neighboring countries to send out qualified South Sudanese to train as nurses and midwives in order to establish a critical mass in the next 10 years.
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RMF’s Vision
Sustainability
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. By virtue of its registration and autonomy, RMF will seek to partner with organizations/agencies, and most importantly, government elements, in the areas of health systems strengthening and sustainable economic empowerment as witnessed in its projects in other countries.
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.
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Photos
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Numbers
Served
173 students were fully sponsored for the three-year education program.
This includes the provision of school uniforms, books, stationery, tutors, and monthly allowances.
Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery
Country Page: South Sudan
Initiative Page: Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery
Facebook: #RMFsouthsudan
