On April 7th, with the support of several partners, CMMB launched a major construction project to improve capacity at St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara, South Sudan. With the addition of a new surgical wing that includes an operating theater, surgical recovery and maternity ward, and a blood bank, St. Theresa will be able to expand its reach and improve the quality of health services they can offer to  The updated hospital will benefit an estimated 17,000 patients in and around Nzara every year.

In order to realize this vision, CMMB volunteer and Aurora Fellow, engineer Martin Rubino, joined the team in South Sudan. In this post, we share the journey so far.

A Dream Becoming a Reality

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion at St. Theresa Hospital. Ritual being performed.Group photo at the St. Theresa Hospital groundbreaking ceremony.

Initial Work

Martin Rubino hard at work, shovel in hand, at the expansion site of St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara.

Martin Rubino hard at work days after arriving in Nzara.

“I owe it to the generations of patients, doctors, and nurses who will be using these facilities to ensure the hospital is as well constructed as possible.” – Martin Rubino

A collage of four photos showing some of the work going on at the expansion of St. Theresa Hospital.

Sister Jane observing some workers at the expansion of St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara.

Sister Jane, a Comboni sister and part of the St. Theresa team, looks on at the building site.

A vivid photo of workers at the St. Theresa hospital expansion in Nzara.

“The astonishing fact is that this hospital is being built almost entirely with hand tools and muscle power.” – Martin Rubino

A photo of sister Jane and another photo of two workers at the expansion site of St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara.

Group of men working at the expansion of St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara.

Photo collage of workers and Martin Rubino working on the expansion of St. Theresa Hospital in Nzara.

Progress of the Maternity Ward

Progress of the maternity ward at St. Theresa Hospital from May 20-27.

The child mortality rate in South Sudan is 14 times higher than the child mortality rate in the United States.

Progres of the maternity ward from June 3-10.

The maternity ward as of June 24. Brick walls are starting to be laid.

“The women in Nzara know death all too well. And yet, life’s radiant light seems to come through even brighter during the joyous times, making the success of the simplest things all the more sweet.” – Sarah Rubino, Aurora Fellow, nurse and midwife volunteering at St. Theresa Hospital

Maternity ward progress as of July 1 and July 8. Brick walls are being built up.

The maternity ward as of July 15, walls are continuing to develop.

Progress of the Surgical Ward

Progress at the surgical ward from May 20-27.

51% of the population in South Sudan lives on less than $1 a day. For many, paying for quality health services is impossible.

Progress of the surgical ward as of june 3

Progress of the surgical ward as of July 1-8, brick work is well underway.

“I’ll keep going, doing my best, and try to remember each and every day how lucky I am to be here; how lucky I am to choose to be here: the privilege of choice and opportunity.” – Dr. Matthew Jones, Aurora Fellow, volunteering at St. Theresa Hospital

Progress on the surgical ward at St. Theresa Hospital as of July 15. The walls are substantially built up.

Progress of the Operating Theatre

Early progress on the operating theatre from may 20-27. The foundation is being prepared.Progress on the operating theatre from june 3-10. The foundation is getting finished and the form work is being done.

Progress on the operating theatre at the St. Theresa Hospital Expansion as of July 15. The walls are being built up well.

If you are interested in learning more about the construction process, be sure to follow Martin Rubino’s regular updates. 

Building Project Schedule

A chart detailing the schedule and progress of the construction project.

 

I want to help!