SSHARE: Southern Sudan Healthcare Accessibility, Rehabilitation and Education Project
Southern Sudan reports some of the highest child and maternal mortality rates in the world, with large areas of the country without access to any health services. Recent statistics suggest there are fewer than 50 doctors to care for a population of over 10 million. The lack of services and infrastructure in many areas of Southern Sudan is a significant obstacle. Major challenges facing the health sector include inadequate health infrastructure and facilities as well as insufficient qualified health personnel. Substantial support is required to improve access to basic medical services, including rehabilitation of facilities and increased training and education for medical personnel.
 Dr. Moses with friends outside of the hospital in Duk |
 Dr. Deng with a patient in Werkok |
Project Purpose
To build the capacity of healthcare in South Sudan through the provision of continuing medical education and medical facility rehabilitation.
Project Background
In 2006, the University of Calgary was introduced to a group of Cuban-educated Sudanese physicians who were living in Canada. They were part of a group of more than 600 children who were sent to Cuba in the mid 1980's from refugee camps in Ethiopia. The mission given to these children was to complete their education and return one day to Sudan to lead their communities in rebuilding. This particular group trained to become physicians, but due to the changing political climate in Cuba and the ongoing war in Sudan, was unable to return home. The physicians resettled in Canada, but remained determined to return to their homeland to serve as doctors. Given that they had never practiced medicine, their medical skills needed to be upgraded and adapted to the specific realities of their homeland. The Sudanese Physician Reintegration Program was established, consisting of a nine-month academic medical upgrading program at the University of Calgary. A second phase of the program included Residency Training in Kenya. The physicians have now returned to South Sudan, and are working in hospitals in clinics throughout Jongelei State. The SSHARE Program has developed, with support from CIDA and in partnership with Samaritan's Purse Canada, to provide these physicians and others in the healthcare field with ongoing medical education support and improved medical facilities.
Juba Medical Camp, June 2011
Expected Outcomes
Medical practitioners are being supported in the effective delivery of health care services in response to local needs. Community members are able to access care in rehabilitated medical facilities and receive enhanced access to healthcare services. Local health committees are playing a role in the sustainability of effective medical care, and include women in decision-making roles.
Beneficiaries
The main beneficiaries are the people of South Sudan, as well as the physicians and healthcare professionals who work with them. Other major beneficiaries are Canadians who are welcomed into the lives of the people of South Sudan.
Key Activities
The University of Calgary is providing the physicians and their colleagues with the tools they need to improve their ability to provide medical care in their communities. This is being accomplished through medical education camps at sites in South Sudan, continuing medical education workshops, seminars and long-distance learning opportunities, and provision of medical education resources.
Our partner, Samaritan's Purse, is working to improve medical capacity through construction and renovation of medical buildings, repairs to current facilities, and the provision of necessary supplies and equipment.
 Dr. Daniel at work in the Malakal State Hospital |
 The physicians at a retreat in Juba following the graduation ceremony in 2008 |
Key Results to Date
CIDA (The Canadian International Development Agency) has agreed to fund the SSHARE Program for three years, commencing April 2009.
Please learn more about our program implementation and success by reading our quarterly newslettters
SSHARE Newsletter
Issue 1 August 2009
Issue 2 January 2010
Issue 3 April 2010
Issue 4 July 2010
Issue 5 October 2010
Issue 6 January 2011
Issue 7 April 2011
Issue 8 July 2011
Issue 9 January 2012
Educational dissemination
Wonca Global Family Medicine Conference in Mexico
Global Health Conference - Ottawa October 2010
Other Collaborators
The SSHARE project is a joint initiative with Samaritan's Purse Canada. We are also working with various partners on the ground in South Sudan, including IMA (Interchurch Medical Association), and with representatives of the Government of South Sudan's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.
For further information on this project, contact:
SSHARE Project Director
Dr. Rod Crutcher, MD MMedEd CCFP(EM) FCFP
Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary
Director, Southern Sudan Healthcare Accessibility, Rehabilitation and Education (SSHARE)
Phone: 403.210-8167
crutcher@ucalgary.ca
SSHARE Program Manager
Ruth Parent
Phone: 403.220.2529
ruth.parent@ucalgary.ca
 Dr. Benjamin with Deepak Oobrai, Government of Canada, Carol D. Stewart, University of Calgary and representatives from U of C and Samaritan's Purse at the official launching of the SSHARE Program in Summer 2009 |