5th July, 2011
On July 9, 2011, Southern Sudan celebrated 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’s Liberation Front, training urgently needed health workers.
Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that granted Southern Sudan semi-autonomy in 2005, AMREF, at the request of the Government of Southern Sudan, expanded its programmes and began developing standardised curricula for training community midwives, clinical officers, nurses and community health workers.
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, however, we need to recognise the immense health challenges Africa’s newest nation currently faces and anticipate those that will come.
AMREF knows that the Republic 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 of Southern Sudan in improving the health of its people, a key component for development.
AMREF’s work focuses on improving maternal health, preventing and managing diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, improving access to water and sanitation and providing clinical diagnostics and surgical care. To ensure long-lasting health improvements, Africa’s newest nation must now begin developing a health system capable of providing services and care to all its citizens. 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 in training and deploying sufficient numbers of skilled health workers, developing health infrastructure and setting up robust community-based health information management structures.
By far one of the greatest needs within the Southern Sudan’s health system is qualified health workers. Since 1998, AMREF has trained 307 Clinical Officers at the National Health Training Institute in Maridi, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of all clinical officers working in the country. AMREF trains clinical officers to do 70 per cent of the work that physicians do, including 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.
Infrastructural development in the health sector will also be a priority. The international community will be eager to help, but we urge that this is done in collaboration rather than competition. Coordination is important to ensure progress.
Southern Sudan has the advantage of learning from the mistakes and past experiences of other nations in order to institute harmonious, cost-effective and sustainable development. We must avoid dangerous pitfalls such as corruption, which has slowed down and even reversed the growth and development of many promising economies. We must also avoid relying on imported solutions that have worked for others but are inappropriate for Southern Sudan’s unique local contexts.
Having worked in Africa for over 50 years and in Southern Sudan for most of that time, 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 Southern Sudan, and share it with others.
In particular, we believe in the inherent power of communities to transform themselves, with the relevant support. As long-term partners, AMREF is keen to support the leadership of Southern Sudan in moving the country to new heights.Congratulations to the people of the Republic of Southern Sudan!
Dr Teguest Guerma
Director General
AMREF
