South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has pledged to invest in the education of midwives and nurses to help the country achieve a more sustainable health system.
Suzan Mandong, the officer in charge at UNFPA, said that their partnership with Canada and Norway has enabled them to train more health workers, improve working conditions, and provide lifesaving care to the most vulnerable populations.
“To all our nurses and midwives, we will continue to invest in your education, advocate for your rights, and champion your leadership. When we invest in you, we invest in healthier mothers, safer deliveries, empowered girls, and ultimately, a stronger health system,” said Mandong on Monday at Juba Teaching Hospital during the celebrations for International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day.
“Caring for nurses strengthens economies. When nurses are empowered and supported, health systems function, families thrive, communities develop, and nations grow stronger,” she added.
Mandong emphasized that prioritizing midwifery and nursing education, regulation, and deployment is essential for achieving universal health coverage and reducing maternal and newborn mortality.
She also noted that nurses and midwives remain on the frontlines, delivering care, providing service, and saving lives in conflict zones, flooded villages, and health facilities stretched beyond capacity.
Mandong stated that UNFPA will continue investing in nurses and midwives, not only as essential health workers but also as leaders, change-makers, and nation-builders, highlighting their immeasurable value as the backbone of health care in South Sudan.
“In hospitals and in the hardest-to-reach areas, nurses and midwives dedicate their lives to service, ensuring safe births, caring for the sick, responding to emergencies, and restoring dignity in the most vulnerable moments of life,” she said.
Repent Khamis, the President of the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association, stated that midwives and nurses are critical to the development of the country’s health system.
“Nurses are central to the recovery and rebuilding of our nation. Our future depends on the health of our people, and our people’s health depends on the care that nurses provide. Yet, despite the vital role that nurses play, they face numerous challenges—understaffing, inadequate pay, and limited access to continuous professional development,” Khamis remarked.
He added that the economic impact of a well-supported nursing workforce is immense, noting that a healthy population leads to greater productivity, lower healthcare costs in the long term, and a more resilient nation capable of facing future challenges.
“If we are to strengthen our economy and secure our future, we must invest in nurses. When nurses are supported—through better working conditions, professional development opportunities, and recognition of their contributions—the whole country benefits,” he concluded.
The International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day, celebrated under the themes Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis and Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies, reminds the public of the vital roles played by midwives and nurses in the health system.
