St Therese hospital Nzara South Sudan One of

St. Therese hospital, Nzara, South Sudan One of the nurses checking drugs and consumables. Sr. Laura must travel to Uganda to purchase these as none are available locally. Last July, Sr. Laura said the food situation was becoming critical and asked for help in providing items like beans, rice and ground nuts for the children. A little girl receives a blood transfusion at the hospital. Last year, over 311 young children received transfusions for severe anaemia, a complication of malaria. One of the nursing staff from Nzara hospital talking to school children about health education and preventable diseases like malaria and skin infections. The health education programme operates both in the wards and the community, and visiting nearby schools is very important.

A child being weighed in the nutrition unit. Malnutrition cases have increased due to the conflict, and 416 children were admitted for acute malnutrition. A sick child admitted to the paediatric ward. Most of the children admitted are under five years, and many need antibiotic treatment for severe infections. The mortality rate is lower than in other parts of South Sudan, but due to the conflict this is increasing. Sr. Fyori in the paediatric ward helping sick and malnourished children. Most children under five years are admitted to the ward with severe illnesses like malaria and its complications. Over 5, 300 were admitted last year. A group shot of the St. Therese hospital staff outside a ward, with Sr. Laura, the director, in the centre.

St. Therese hospital, Nzara, South Sudan A view of the paediatric ward at the hospital. Sr. Laura with a baby who has been admitted to the ward. Many more children are now coming to the hospital suffering from severe malnutrition, due to the recent conflict. Lifesaving drugs which IRT helps to fund, being organised in the specially built store unit. Sr. Jane Angida, the matron, with one of the four work experience students doing on the job training. Both are funded by IRT and are vital to the running of the hospital and the ongoing training of medical professionals, in a country where there is a huge shortage of doctors and nurses.

Solar panels at the hospital which are increasingly used to generate power and replace expensive fuel. Nursing staff treating a sick child admitted to the paediatric ward. Most of the children admitted are under five years. The ward has 66 beds and 5, 300 children were admitted last year. Mothers with their babies and young children waiting outside the paediatric ward at the hospital. A view of the drug store and administration office at the hospital.