SSMJ February 2019

Editorials

South Sudan must establish a histopathology laboratory

Histopathology is an important branch in laboratory medicine and vital in the management of patients with conditions ranging from tumours, infections, metabolic conditions, and congenital anomalies. Dr Changkel argues for a national histopathology lab to be established in South Sudan, and not rely on small private facilities.

News, Reports and Policy

Dr Felix: the doctor who served with passion

Dr Felix Loro was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lypmphoma in 2014, which claimed his life on Saturday 12 January 2019 in Kampala, Uganda. Dr Felix was married to Mrs Maria Ejok Kanisio from Hiyala, Torit State. They were blessed with two children – a son and a daughter. His passion for his country had inspired individuals, for whom he served as a mentor and role model. He will be greatly missed.

Wau Health Sciences Institute graduates 16 students from the School of Midwifery

Among the students were 10 females and 6 males. According to the school principal, this is the first batch of diploma students since the establishment of the institute. Jane Edward, the principal said the new graduates are tasked with helping expectant women in hospitals to reduce maternal mortality rates in the country.

Call for Submissions

Clinical Guidance

Helping Babies Breathe Poster

Research

Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions in children treated at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions occur at any age. An increasing occurrence has made these tumours a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The study finds that haemangioma was the most common benign tumour. Dentigerous cyst was the most frequent tumour-like lesion observed, while Burkitt’s lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the most common malignant lesions.

Typhoid ileal perforation in children: does clinical diagnosis alone justify laparotomy?

Typhoid fever (Enteric fever), caused by Salmonella typhi, presents with fever, chills, headache, abdominal pain and tenderness and can become a surgical emergency if medical treatment fails. This study determines that where urgent diagnostic radiological and laboratory investigations are not available promptly, clinical diagnosis of typhoid ileal perforation should justify an emergency laparotomy.

Prevalence and associated factors of burnout syndrome among healthcare workers in public and private hospitals in Mekelle City, Ethiopia

Burnout syndrome, an occupational negative psychosomatic condition, has three components: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and low personal achievement. This cross-sectional study conducted among 229 healthcare workers in Mekelle, Kay Kalkidan and Ben Meskerem General Hospitals showed that Prevalence of burnout syndrome was high among all respondents.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: knowledge, attitudes and practice among pregnant women at Juba Teaching Hospital

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accounts for 90% of infancy and childhood HIV infections. This study found that pregnant women’s knowledge on HIV/AIDS, specific knowledge on MTCT, MTCT risk factors during breastfeeding, and PMTCT were moderate.

Case Reports

No documents found.

Summaries

Regulatory challenges in a complex emergency environment: An update on South Sudan

Targeted research to provide evidence on the efficacy of low cost decentralised approaches that involve a mix of regulatory strategies by state, private and civil society actors is needed to improve regulatory environment in South Sudan.

The mental health treatment gap in South Sudan

A mental health treatment gap is the percentage of individuals who require treatment in a country or in a defined community but do not receive it. More needs to be done to reduce this mental health gap.

Too hot to handle? Heat resilience in urban South Sudan

This paper reviews the climate change issues faced by South Sudan, and the strategy as outlined to the United Nations. The author argues that the policy overlooks a key potential cause of future morbidity and mortality: increased ambient temperatures.