Evangelische Bank eG
IBAN: DE85 5206 0410 0000 0001 24
BIC: GENODEF1EK1
South Sudan: Midwifery School
South Sudan: Midwifery School – Life for Mothers and Children
Child and maternal mortality rates are extremely high in South Sudan. Training young women as midwives saves lives. At the same time, it also provides genuine professional prospects.
Giving birth always comes with big risks in poorer countries. However, nowhere in the world do more women die during pregnancy or birth than in South Sudan. The infant mortality rate is also shockingly high: 62 in 1,000 children do not live to see their first birthday (Germany: 3.3 in 1,000 children).
South Sudan is one of the least developed countries in Africa. Pregnant women there often have no access to adequate medical care. As a rule, women marry and have children at a very young age. As there are hardly any trained midwives, many give birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants. However, these are often not in a position to deal correctly with any complications that may occur. There is a great need for professional obstetric care for mother and child.
Practical training with a future
With its midwifery school in Lokichoggio, the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) is helping to meet the high demand for professional obstetric care. Each year, roughly 20 young women embark on the three-year training programme. The trainee midwives are taught midwifery, anatomy and physiology, as well as English, mathematics and first aid. Regular internships allow them to put what they have learned into practice and to exchange views and experiences with their future colleagues.
South Sudan
13.34 million inhabitants; 9.1% infant mortality rate
Prevention and education
An important aspect of the training is the cooperation with local hospitals and traditional birth attendants. The role of trained midwives also includes prevention and information. They perform immunisations and provide information on general health issues. This way, not only do mothers and children benefit from their work in the long-term, but also the entire population.
Project goals
Training midwives will reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in South Sudan. The midwives look after pregnant women and assist them during birth. The general population also benefits from the project: midwives take their knowledge of hygiene and healthcare back to their hometowns and pass it on to the men and women there.
Project work
The project work primarily takes place at the midwifery school in Lokichoggio. It is here that young women undergo their three-year midwifery training, during which they acquire theoretical and practical knowledge. They receive school materials and work clothes, as well as accommodation and food. They regularly do internships at local hospitals, during which they are able to put what they have learned into practice.
Project partner
The Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency (PRDA) is the independent development department of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan. It is responsible for emergency aid and development cooperation projects. The focus is on agriculture, health and education. Through mission 21, the Basel Mission German Branch is supporting the work of the church, in cooperation with the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity.
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