Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery milestones in 2018
Nursing and Midwifery students making the Florence Nightingale Pledge at their graduation ceremony on 11th December 2018 (JCONAM ©).
Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM) was established in May 2010 as the first institution of its kind in South Sudan. In less than a decade, the college has grown from an initial class of 40 students to training over 300 nurses and midwives. Students at JCONAM are well supported by a diverse team of managers, tutors and auxiliary staff whose commitment and wealth of experience has been invaluable to the growth of the college.
JCONAM in numbers: 2016 - 2019
|
Intake |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
2016 Midwifery |
12 |
20 |
32 |
|
2016 Nursing |
17 |
8 |
25 |
|
2017 Midwifery |
12 |
18 |
32 |
|
2017 Nursing |
25 |
11 |
36 |
|
2019 Midwifery |
3 |
11 |
14 |
|
Total |
69 |
68 |
139 |
The courses are run by 13 tutors of whom three are clinical instructors, one is an expatriate and nine are South Sudanese nationals. In addition there is one Principal and one Program Manager plus other support staff.
The school’s achievements in 2018 and 2019 include:
- All the (last year) final year students sat their exams and all passed, thus the school was able to graduate 30 students: 15 Midwives and 15 Nurses.
- The school is supporting continuing professional development for the tutors; we have four tutors currently pursuing their bachelor’s degrees.
- The school held a workshop on teaching methodology last August for the tutors.
- St Paul Coptic University from Egypt last year conducted training in the College of Physicians and some students from JCONAM were able to benefit and were trained on how to interpret ECGs.
- A team from UK last year visited the College of Physicians and conducted training on Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care; some JCONAM students and tutors were privileged to attend.
- JCONAM has developed a 2018-2020 strategic plan and sustainability strategies.
So far the school has graduated over 304 students who are serving the country and supporting the continued reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality - as well as trying their best to improve health care service delivery in order to attain the ‘sustainable development goals’ and ‘universal health coverage’.
It is with a great pleasure to note that, among the 30 students who graduated last year, two were selected to publish their research in the South Sudan Medical Journal, which is a great achievement to the college. We are looking at producing competent nurses and midwives who will be researchers at both national and international level. Research is a core factor in improving the quality of care. Country context problem-solving research will contribute greatly to the improvement of health care services. Thus we need well educated nurses/midwives who can lift up the profession in South Sudan and stand up for their rights as well as advocating strongly for clients of all ages.
Our main challenges are inadequate and sustainability of funds.
