JUBA — The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA in South Sudan congratulated South Sudan’s Minister of Health and the partners involved in building and developing the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery at a handing over ceremony of additional classrooms at the college’s premises on Wednesday.
“During the past few years, UNFPA has worked hard together with the Ministry of Health in South Sudan and other partners to establish the first Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery College in South Sudan,” said Dr. Bannet Ndyanabangi, UNFPA Deputy Representative for South Sudan. “It is a pleasure to stand here today and see the results of these joint efforts and celebrate the accomplishment and handover of the beautiful construction.”
Milestone for women
The college is a milestone in the fight against maternal mortality in South Sudan, estimated to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world – at 2054 deaths for every 100,000 live births.
Skilled birth attendance is recognized to be one of the most effective strategies to fight maternal mortality. The skills gap, especially at the community level, along with insufficient and poorly distributed human resources are the major constraints that South Sudan faces in achieving skilled care at every birth.
Key to reducing high maternal and child death rates
“Ensuring that midwives and nurses have the necessary competencies to work and function properly is key in reducing the unacceptably high maternal and neonatal mortality rates,” said Dr. Ndyanabangi. “Having effective midwifery and nursing education programmes in place is one way to achieve this.”
The high-level ceremony was also addressed by senior Ministry of Health officials and a JICA representative. It was organized by the Directorate of Training and Professional Development and the Division of Human Resources Management of the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Project on Human Resources Development for Health in South Sudan.
The partners involved in the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery include the Ministry of Health, UNFPA, JICA, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, the Real Medicine Foundation and St. Mary’s Isle of Wight – Juba link.
At the ceremony, Dr. Ndyanabangi assured the continued commitment and support of UNFPA for the government’s efforts in strengthening nursing and midwifery education programmes at the Juba College of nursing and midwifery, by providing financial and technical support in 2012. Training equipment and supplies provided by UNFPA were displayed on the occasion.
For further information please contact:
Anne Wittenberg, UNFPA: +211 956209239 or wittenberg@unfpa.org
