Waiting for Sister Pauline

From the Radio Good News Diocese of Rumbek

TRAINING OF NURSES IMPORTANT FOR SOUTHERN SUDAN, SAYS TRAINER

A registered nurse involved in training Sudanese nurses has said that the training of nurses is important for Southern Sudan, explaining that the changes happening in the country call for nurses with qualifications.

Anne Jackson, an Australian national, is training nurses at the Mapuordit-based Rumbek Nursing School in Lakes State.

She told Good News Radio that Sudan has witnessed changes over the past few years affecting the health sector and would require qualified health workers to deal with health issues. She cited the example of HIV and AIDs, saying that the cases of the epidemic are on the increase.

Mrs. Jackson further said that Rumbek Nursing School is “the first stepping stone” towards capacity building of health workers, adding that if Southern Sudan becomes independent at the referendum, better education opportunities and health services may be provided and that this would call for hard work on the part of Southern Sudanese.

Mrs. Jackson also said that the Mapuordit-based Rumbek Nursing School has adequate equipment with the possibility of adapting and improvising, describing the facility as basic.

She also said that the number of student nurses has increased this year from fourteen at the launching of the school last year to eighteen this year, adding that the students admitted this year manifest a relatively higher level of education than the pioneers.

The student nurses at the Mapuordit-based Rumbek Nursing School go to the “well staffed and busy” Mary Immaculate Hospital Rural for practical lessons.

Mrs. Jackson revealed that the hospital is currently dealing with malaria cases, pneumonia, anaemia, and snake bite injuries, and amputations from accidents, adding that the hospital staff is able to respond to these cases well.