Changkuoth Yoal is a nurse recently graduated from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Academy for Healthcare in Lankien, Jonglei state in South Sudan. In a region severely affected by intercommunal conflict and a fragile health system, Changkuoth is among the 88 learners who have successfully completed the two-year intensive clinical training program. This program is composed of five learning modules on basic clinical nursing care focusing on 85 skills.
Changkuoth's passion for healthcare developed at 19 when he witnessed his mother fighting for her life against kala azar, the second deadliest parasitic disease globally. During his mother's treatment, he observed the dedication of doctors and nurses, and he was inspired to pursue a career in healthcare.
"The learning from the academy has made a great impact on me," said the 26-year-old Changkuoth. "I learnt a lot of skills that I never practised before. With this training, I am a step closer to my dream of saving lives in my community and providing them with dignified quality of care."