In Western Equatoria State, St. Theresa Mission Hospital (STMH) serves more than 300,000 people across an expansive, largely rural region of South Sudan. With 180 beds, it is a central point of care for surrounding communities, including those along the border in neighboring countries.

Day-to-day work at the hospital reflects the realities of its setting. Access to specialized care is limited, infrastructure and equipment are stretched to their limits, and supply chains are often unreliable. These constraints have a real impact on infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols, putting both health workers and the patients they serve at risk.

The hospital’s medical director recognized the need for updated IPC protocols and regular staff training. He started an IPC committee, laying the groundwork for real change. When CMMB connected him with a small group of medical volunteers—most of whom supported in an entirely virtual capacity—that change excelled.

Together with the local IPC committee, the project team drafted formal policies for hand hygiene, sterilization of surgical instruments, disease surveillance, and more. They focused on building a culture of safe care anchored in quarterly staff education and training. Most importantly, the team’s procedures were adapted to the real-world limitations of care in an extremely low-resource setting, ensuring they could be maintained and sustained without compromising patient and staff safety.

The progress has been notable and recognized. Project assessments have shown increased staff knowledge and awareness of the importance of IPC protocols. But gaps, especially in access to supplies and equipment, remain.

CMMB and the project team rely on donations to fulfill these supply and equipment gaps. The goal is to expand and strengthen implemented protocols over time, but without the proper tools, health workers at STMH are limited—despite their ability to adapt. You can support the health workers of STMH and their IPC efforts here.

 

APIC 2026

Claire Jai, a member of the CMMB remote volunteer team, presented on the IPC project approach, success, and next steps at the 2026 APIC conference. Explore her presentation here (will be posted after her session).

 

Remote Volunteer Opportunities with CMMB

The success of the IPC project in South Sudan demonstrates the change that’s possible through meaningful collaboration—even across time zones.“Systems are only as strong as the support we provide the people using them; meaningful progress requires both the consistent, daily attention to safety and the financial resources to make that work possible,” said Claire Jai.

CMMB’s volunteer opportunities aim to connect professionals worldwide to build stronger, more accessible health systems. While in-person opportunities are one way to get involved, CMMB’s remote opportunities provide experts a way to pursue mission-driven work in tandem with their current careers and location. Learn more about opportunities with CMMB here.