Strengthening Midwifery Services in South Sudan - Phase II

In 2020 the Strengthening Midwifery Services in South Sudan - Phase II project received an increase of $4.2 million. These additional funds will ensure that the original project's objectives are achieved while adapting to the changing context in South Sudan. The Strengthening Midwifery Services II project aims to increase skilled healthcare providers' availability especially midwives to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services and decrease maternal and infant mortality in South Sudan. By building on Phase I this project aims to ensure that all midwifery nursing and other medical students currently enrolled in training programs can successfully complete their studies and enter the workforce to save mothers and babies' lives. Project activities include: (1) developing a new curriculum for nurses and clinical officers; (2) obtaining the equipment required and improving the ability of the faculty members and administrative staff at the training institutes to teach and manage the midwifery and nursing programs; (3) mentoring students and health care providers by international and national UN volunteer midwives during clinical practice to ensure the application of their skills; (3) training given by doctors working in health facilities to encourage a team approach in the provisions of midwifery and obstetric services; and (4) improving the ability of the Ministry of Health to manage and regulate the education of midwives and the ability of South Sudan's national and state-level Nursing and Midwifery Associations to advocate and promote their professions. The project works in partnership with the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) which provides direct peer-to-peer mentoring support and technical expertise from practicing Canadian midwives and midwifery educators.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved delivery of quality gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable education for health care providers in South Sudan; (2) improved delivery of gender-sensitive and environmentally sound maternal newborn and child health services by midwives nurses clinical officers and other health care professionals in targeted health facilities in South Sudan; and (3) strengthened enabling environment at the national and state level to facilitate gender-sensitive midwifery and obstetrics practices in South Sudan.