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Turmoil, violence and
corruption are currently
rocking
Southern Sudan.
Tensions surrounding
disarmament initiatives and
criminality in the
government have resulted in
increased bloodshed among
civilians, making it
difficult for humanitarian
groups to provide aid.
The need for medical care is
ever-present; however, the
largest component of the
healthcare workforce nurses
and midwives is virtually
nonexistent.
With Southern Sudan having
the highest maternal and
infant mortality rate in the
world, the Real Medicine
Foundation alongside
the Government of Southern
Sudan (GoSS), United Nations
Population Fund, St. Mary's
Hospital - Isle of Wight
UK, and the World Children's
Fund, is spearheading
efforts to create a college
of nursing and midwifery at
the Teaching Hospital in
Juba,
the country's capital, to
prevent this problem from
continuing.
The Los Angeles-based
charity organization was
created in May 2005 by Dr.
Martina Fuchs as a result of
her experience helping
children and families in
Sri Lanka
following the nation's
catastrophic 2004 tsunami.
Real Medicine provides
people around the globe with
aid during emergency
situations as well as
on-going relief in areas
affected by disaster,
poverty, and war.
Currently, the organization
is operating in over a dozen
countries worldwide.
Accredited by the Ministry
of Higher Education and
Juba
University, the
nursing/midwifery college
will be the first of its
kind. Serving a country
population of 9.6 million,
it will function like any
typical college with an
applicant admissions
process, an approved
curriculum, a student
library, cutting edge
laboratories and facilities
for room and board. The
three year diploma program
will be taught by qualified
local instructors and
tutors. During the term,
students will serve as staff
at outlying primary heath
care clinics in
Juba's
Munaki, Nyakuron, Kator
districts. The estimated
population to benefit from
this program -- over
500,000. The school will
open officially in October
2009.
For more information please
visit:
www.realmedicinefoundation.org
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