Grace (right) is a trainee midwife at the Jonglei Health Sciences Institute (JHSI) in South Sudan.
A huge lack of qualified health workers across the nation means that nearly 1 in 100 women die in pregnancy and childbirth. Further, 75% of people do not have access to basic medical services. Grace and her fellow students long to see this reality transformed.
Nearly 1 in 100 women die in pregnancy and childbirth, in South Sudan.
In response to this difficult healthcare situation, Drs Anil and Shalini Cherian set up a training Institute for South Sudanese health workers. This Easter, AID is aiming to raise £20,000 for this vital work. We are especially thrilled that the first £10,000 will be match-funded by a generous donor.
Can you help AID raise £20,000 for the JHSI this Easter? The first £10,000 will be match-funded by a generous donor. Click here to give.
Currently, there are 58 students at the JHSI training to become clinical officers and midwives. Their training involves classroom teaching, practical placements and community research projects. After 3 years they will go out to work across South Sudan.
Underpinning the Institute is a desire to raise up godly, servant-hearted healthcare professionals who will transform their nation.
Underpinning the Institute is a desire to raise up godly, servant-hearted healthcare professionals who will transform their nation.
The Challenges of Training in South Sudan
The JHSI is currently based in Bor, a town in the state of Jonglei, South Sudan, recently devastated by flooding and Covid-19. According to the World Health Organization, Jonglei State is especially under-resourced for medical services. Further, internet access is patchy in Bor and teaching facilities are basic. Despite this, Drs Anil and Shalini Cherian are committed to high quality training and have bright hopes for the future. For example, they are setting up a local area network to circumvent internet difficulties and provide students with digital learning resources.
75% of people in South Sudan do not have access to basic medical services.
Thanks to the generosity of the Derek Moore foundation, the JHSI has recently received 8 new laptops which will be vital for digital learning. Also, other AID donors have provide solar-powered Arclight ophthalmoscopes for the JHSI. These are designed for contexts like Bor.
The JHSI is an oasis of hope in a medical desert, equipping well-qualified healthcare professionals to save lives for decades to come across South Sudan.
