Hope for Freedom, Peace and Health in South Sudan
July 5, 2011
On July 9, 2011 Southern Sudan will celebrate its Independence marking the end of a long journey in search of freedom, autonomy and self-rule. It is a journey that has been fraught with numerous challenges and setbacks.
AMREF has a long history in Southern Sudan. When civil war broke out in the early 1980s AMREF continued to work in areas controlled by the Sudanese People Liberation Front training urgently needed health workers.
Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that granted Southern Sudan semi-autonomy in 2005, at the request of the Government of Southern Sudan, AMREF expanded its programs and began developing standardized curricula for training community midwives, clinical officers, nurses and community health workers.
Our work also focuses on improving maternal health, preventing and better managing diseases like HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis, improving access to water and sanitation and providing clinical diagnostics and surgical care.
Immense Health Challenges
AMREF is delighted that at last, Southern Sudan is to become independent. We celebrate with the people of the new Republic for this great achievement. As a new journey begins for the people of Southern Sudan, we need to recognize the immense health challenges Africa’s newest nation currently faces and anticipate those that will come. AMREF knows that the Government of Southern Sudan is committed to improving the health of its people, but we also know that it will have numerous competing priorities. AMREF remains dedicated to supporting the Government to improve health.
Africa’s newest nation must now begin developing a health system capable of providing services and care to all its citizens ensuring long-lasting health improvements. This system must be linked to and grounded in communities in order for it to be responsive to the needs of the people. To do this investments must be made to train, deploy and retain sufficient numbers of skilled health workers, as well as developing health infrastructure and setting up robust community-based health information management structures.
By far one of the greatest needs within the Southern Sudanese health system is qualified health workers.
Urgent Need for Health Workers
Since 1998, AMREF has trained over 350 Clinical Officers at the National Health Training Institute in Maridi, accounting for approximately 80 percent of all clinical officers working in Southern Sudan.
AMREF trains clinical officers that are able to perform 70 percent of the work of a doctor, but can be trained in half the time at one fifth the cost. Their training includes preventive, curative, promotive and emergency health services using the primary health care approach. The three-year course prepares students to develop critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills in managing patients and providing services at different levels of the health delivery system. The Institute aims to ensure that the country is equipped with trained health professionals who can cope with the country’s health needs and demands, and train others to do the job.
Another priority is infrastructural development in the health sectors. We hope the international community will be eager to participate in helping and we urge that this is done in collaboration rather than competition. To ensure progress, infrastructural development must be done in a coordinated manner.
AMREF's Long History in South Sudan
Having worked in Africa for over 50 years and in Southern Sudan since 1971, AMREF is well placed to give support and guidance on developing and improving health systems. We know what works and can apply this knowledge in South Sudan, and share it with others.
In particular, we believe in the inherent power of communities to transform themselves with relevant support. As long term partners, AMREF is keen to support the leadership of South Sudan in moving the country to new heights.
Congratulations to the people of the Republic of South Sudan!
Dr Teguest Guerma
Director General
AMREF
Read New York Times article: "South Sudan, the Newest Nation, Is Full of Hope and Problems" that discusses the challenges of South Sudan and highlights an AMREF-trained clinical officer as a sign of hope.
Read about the "Doctors" of South Sudan
Meet Sgt. Kuol, an AMREF trained Clinical Officer
Health in South Sudan: Facts and Figures
Activities to celebrate the independence of South Sudan
