Nurses, midwives, health officials and aid agencies on Saturday marked International Nurses Day and the International Day of the Midwife in Rumbek, with participants calling for increased investment in healthcare workers, training and health services in Lakes State.
The event, organised by the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association (SSNAMA) in collaboration with the Lakes State Ministry of Health, was held under the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Midwives. Our Future: Strengthening Clinical Excellence and Institutional Capacity in Lakes State.”
Although International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5 and International Nurses Day on May 12, organisers said the celebrations were delayed to allow for professional seminars and discussions on strengthening healthcare delivery.
SSNAMA chairperson in Rumbek, Meen Santos, said the occasion was intended not only to recognise the contribution of nurses and midwives but also to address challenges facing the profession.
He said continuous professional development was essential to maintaining clinical standards and improving patient safety, adding that greater investment was needed in nursing and midwifery education, healthcare infrastructure and staff welfare.
Santos also highlighted the role of qualified midwives in reducing maternal and newborn deaths, calling for increased support to expand and retain the healthcare workforce across the state.
Representatives of development partners echoed the call for stronger support for healthcare workers.
Mawet Bol Madit, Rumbek East County coordinator for the aid organisation CUAMM, said the organisation continued to support the training of nurses and midwives through partnerships with SSNAMA and the Rumbek Health Science Institute.
He said healthcare workers played a critical role in extending health services and education to remote communities.
Banok Muorwel, director of reproductive health at the Lakes State Ministry of Health, praised nurses and midwives for their service despite shortages of medicines and other essential resources.
He said healthcare workers remained at the forefront of efforts to save lives and improve public health outcomes across the state.
Midwife Martha Aping Dut described the event as an opportunity for professional learning and knowledge-sharing, saying healthcare workers must continually update their skills to keep pace with developments in the sector.
Loria Grace Julius, a nurse at Rumbek Health Science Institute, said she was proud of her profession and the contribution nurses make to patient care and recovery.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Lakes State Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports William Koji Kirjok urged healthcare workers to maintain professional standards and prioritise patient care despite the challenges facing the health sector.
He acknowledged concerns over salaries and working conditions but said patients should not be denied treatment because of difficulties faced by healthcare institutions.
Kirjok called on nurses and midwives to continue working with government and partners to improve healthcare services and outcomes for communities across Lakes State.
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