Rumbek-Lakes State- On a Friday, under the scorching sun, gathered graduands soon to be pronounced graduates at Rumbek Health Science Institute (RHSI) in Lakes State. The Convocation at RHSI was the third one since its inception in 2015, where 141 students graduated in various disciplines such as nursing, midwifery, clinical officers as well as laboratory technicians.  Tabitha Nyigang, was one of the 141 graduates, she graduated with a diploma in Clinical Medicine and Public Health, she could not hide her excitement,

It’s been three years of a committed journey to achieve this dream in public health despite the challenges, and I am incredibly grateful to God for helping me overcome all the obstacles and successfully complete my studies. I remain committed to serve the people for a healthier future,” Ms. Nyigang said.

Nyigang’s journey has been that of perseverance and dedication to attain her diploma, having come from a humble background, she had to cultivate crops on small scale to raise her tuition. The 28-year old mother of three said she was forced to sacrifice time spent with her children in order to pursue her studies, 

Thanks to my husband who was very supportive, him and the entire family are happy that I graduated”, Nyigang added

In South Sudan, the UN (2020) estimates that each year about 1,223 women die per 100,000 live births due to pregnancy-related complications. While the estimates show a decrease in the maternal mortality ratio from 1,687 in 2000 to 1,223 in 2020, this still remains one of the highest in the world. With UNFPA’s support through partners like Doctors without Borders –CUAAM and with funding from Global Affairs –Canada, the trajectory is changing by strengthening health systems including quality human resources.

Rumbek Health Science Institute has since inception now graduated 319 students across three batches, according to Deng Makur Mabeny, the Principal of Rumbek Health Science Institute; He tasked the graduates to provide quality healthcare services to their communities.

I want to tell everyone here that we are not politicians, but healthcare providers in the community, our motto is to alleviate suffering and promote the health and well-being of the community.” Mabeny emphasized to the graduates. 

Dr. Dante Carraro, Director of CUAMM, Doctors with Africa, underscored the need for skilled healthcare personnel in South Sudan stressing that the health system cannot function effectively without dedicated and competent human resources.

We recognize the significant shortage of nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, and clinical officers in South Sudan; therefore, today’s graduation is a remarkable milestone to additional of much needed healthcare professionals in the health sector” 

Dr. Dante Carraro,  reaffirmed the commitment of partners to supporting the Rumbek Health Science Institute.

Tabitha has encouraged parents in South Sudan to empower their children especially the girl-child with education rather than prioritizing early and forced marriages in the name of dowry, stressing that education is a powerful tool to poverty eradication. She boasts of her two sisters who are both healthcare professionals,

Dowry will be paid now and in the following months, poverty will follow, but if you educate a girl, she will remain empowered through-out her life and live a decent life, let parents send girls to school,” she said.

Through UNFPA, Canada has been supporting the strengthening of human resources for health including midwives and supporting healthier communities in South Sudan for more than ten years enabling students like Tabitha Nyigang among others realize their dreams.