The graduates parade during a ceremony in Juba|By Wol Mapal

St. Mary’s Health Institute on Saturday graduated 149 health professionals during its 8th graduation ceremony held in Juba, marking another milestone in strengthening South Sudan’s health sector.

The graduates include 101 Clinical Officers, 22 Nurses, and 25 Midwives, who completed a three-year diploma program under the theme “Empowering the Nation with Esteem Heart and Brave Hand.”

The Institute offers diploma training in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, and Pharmacy, with several additional programs currently underway.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Institute’s Principal, Matama Joan, urged the newly qualified professionals to uphold integrity, professionalism, and compassion in their careers, emphasizing that health care is fundamentally about quality patient care wherever they are deployed.

Tito Samson, representing parents, commended the graduates for their perseverance throughout their studies and called on them to serve humanity with dignity, respect, and compassion. He encouraged the graduates to remain confident as they embark on their professional journeys.

One of the graduating midwives, Gladis Betty, described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding. She thanked the tutors for their guidance and knowledge and appealed to her colleagues to serve the nation with professional ethics, integrity, and respect for both mothers and infants.

Another graduate, Lato Yohanis Johnson, expressed gratitude to parents for their financial and moral support, urging fellow graduates to maintain excellence in practice and protect the reputation of St. Mary’s Health Institute.

Meanwhile, Tito Taban, a graduating Clinical Officer, assured parents and the public that the graduates are committed and ready to serve the country, helping to bridge the existing health-care gaps.

Addressing the graduates, Dr. Xavier, Director of both St. Mary’s Health Institute and St. Mary’s Mixed Schools, encouraged them to put the knowledge acquired into practice. He cautioned about job scarcity in the country and advised the graduates to embrace self-reliance and innovation.

The Director General of Midwifery and Nursing at the Ministry of Health, Reverend Janet Michael, welcomed the graduates to what she termed the “field of humanity.”

She strongly emphasized ethics and professionalism, noting that many patient deaths occur due to negligence and lack of professional conduct among health practitioners.

Reverend Janet urged the new health workers to become change agents, improve health facilities, treat preventable diseases, and contribute to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

The ceremony also featured a student-led drama highlighting the realities of cultural beliefs, economic hardship, and weak health systems. The performance depicted the “three delays” that contribute to maternal deaths: delay in seeking care due to cultural beliefs, delay in reaching a health facility because of financial constraints, and delay in receiving care due to negligence by health workers.

In the drama, an expectant mother died after being denied timely medical attention by her mother-in-law, struggling to access transport, and facing negligence at the health facility, including delays in accessing blood for transfusion.

The performance drew strong reactions from the audience, reflecting the ongoing challenges facing South Sudan’s health system in both rural and urban areas.

Established in 2012, St. Mary’s Health Institute suspended operations during the civil war but resumed full activities in 2017. In addition to its core programs, the Institute is introducing new courses including Counseling and Physiotherapy, Laboratory Technology, Anesthesia, Public Health, Environmental Health, Theatre Medical Technology, and Sonography (Ultrasound).

The 8th graduation ceremony was attended by senior institute administrators, tutors, parents, partners, government officials, and students.