The director for nursing and midwifery and nursing has called for a pay rise to motivate and retain health workers in the profession.

A certificated and experienced nurse receives 500 pounds or less monthly, while a diploma holder gets 900 pounds.

Ms Janet Michael says the pay is not enough for the work nurses and midwives do.

“We need to critically to invest in nursing and midwifery if we are to attend the universal health cover and the sustainable development goals,” she argues.

“I want to say that midwives and nurses are the ones who reach the community, who reach the family, and they really look after us from the beginning of life to the end of life,” she added.

Ms Janet was speaking in Juba at the graduation ceremony of 46 nurses and 37 midwives.

They graduated with diploma in the respective fields after three years of training.

Officials say the graduates will be employed by the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations.