Imagine a new mother in labor walking for miles, hoping to reach a clinic in time. On the other hand a feverish child waits in a crowded facility for hours because there are not enough nurses available. In many parts of South Sudan, healthcare is not a certainty but a distant hope, often determined by distance, cost, and chance.
According to the World Bank, South Sudan has approximately 0.4 nurses and midwives per 1,000 people, leaving hospitals and clinics struggling to meet the overwhelming demand. Without trained healthcare workers, treatable illnesses become life-threatening, and childbirth remains high-risk. However, with quality training programs, educational scholarships, and hands-on clinical experience, more nurses and midwives can enter the field, expanding access to lifesaving care in underserved communities.
Friends in Solidarity is committed to supporting this positive change in South Sudan.
Jesus heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
The Catholic Health Training Institute (CHTI) in Wau is training the next generation of nurses and midwives. Established in 1980 and later renovated in 2009 when SwSS got involved, CHTI provides South Sudan’s first nationally certified nursing and midwifery training programs, ensuring that healthcare reaches those who need it most.
CHTI offers a rigorous three-year training program designed to prepare students for real-world medical challenges. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical rotations, giving students critical experience at Comboni Hospital, Sikh Haddid and the government hospital in Wau. Courses cover maternal health, emergency care, disease prevention, and public health outreach, ensuring that graduates are ready to serve in both hospitals and rural communities where healthcare options are scarce.
0
Graduates since 20100%
female students
Preparing Future Healthcare Leaders
Entry into CHTI is competitive. Applicants must pass an entrance exam and demonstrate their commitment to serving their communities. Once admitted, students join a growing movement of healthcare workers dedicated to strengthening South Sudan’s strained healthcare system.
In addition, more women than ever before are entering the healthcare field through CHTI. Women in healthcare play a critical role in improving patient outcomes, especially for new mothers and children. They serve as mentors, advocates, and community leaders.
CHTI students offer community health workshops, first-aid training, and mobile outreach programs that bring care directly to those in need. Blood donation drives, leadership development, and health awareness initiatives further prepare graduates to make a lasting impact beyond the walls of any clinic or hospital.
The demand for trained nurses and midwives has never been greater, with many rural communities lacking any healthcare professionals. CHTI is addressing this gap, but continued support is essential to expand access to care, train more students, and provide both students and alumni with the resources needed to serve their communities effectively.
Stories of Change
CHTI Newsletters
Partner Spotlight
Friends in Solidarity (FiS) is the U.S.-based partner of Solidarity with South Sudan (SwSS), supporting its mission to provide education, healthcare, pastoral formation, and agricultural training across the country. SwSS unites priests, brothers, sisters, and lay professionals to equip teachers, nurses, midwives, and faith leaders, ensuring even remote communities have access to vital services.
Through a capacity-building model, SwSS empowers South Sudanese citizens with the skills to rebuild their nation. FiS strengthens these efforts by raising awareness and securing resources to sustain this work.
