About MHSI

1998Year Founded

Background Information

The Story of Maridi HSI

In 1998, Amref Health Africa in South Sudan opened the Maridi Health Sciences Institute while the country was still in the middle of a civil war. The institute was established under the support of Amref Italy to help rebuild Southern Sudan and its health system through training of mid-level cadres of health workers desperately needed to provide life-saving support.

Since then, MHSI has continuously provided critically needed human resources for health to deliver the minimum health service package as aspired for in the Health Policy of South Sudan and the Basic Package of Health and Nutrition Services (BPHNS).

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement enabled in-country coordination with the Ministry of Health in Juba. Various donors including the European Union, Global Affairs Canada, SIDA through UNFPA, came to collaborate with Amref Health Africa. From January 2023, the institute became a purely self-sponsored institute, now the property of the National Ministry of Health under the Directorate of Training and Professional Development.

Certificate of Establishment: NMOH/HIS 001 | Certificate of Operation: National 001

Our Foundation

Vision, Mission & Values

Our Vision

To be a centre of excellence in training health professionals — setting the standard for health science education across Sub-Sahara Africa.

Our Mission

To train competent and committed health care professionals to provide quality health care and medical services to the people of the Republic of South Sudan and beyond.

Core Philosophy

We believe all people and communities have the capacities to take collective action to solve their own problems. As partners, we harness and build on these capacities to drive sustainable health outcomes.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

Primacy of human resource for health, excellence, integrity, teamwork and transparency guide everything we do at MHSI.

Unity in Diversity

Promoting unity across cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds within our student and staff community.

Equity in Health

Promoting equity in health and development for all communities regardless of their circumstances.

Human Dignity

Upholding the dignity of all people and communities served by our healthcare graduates.

Pro-Women & Pro-Poor

Targeting vulnerable populations through their own efforts, being pro-women and pro-poor in our approach.

Evidence-Based Practice

Promoting evidence-based management of healthcare and development in all our programmes.

Local Capacity

Building on locally available capacities and resources to create lasting community impact.

Transparency

Promoting transparency and accountability in all operations and management of the institute.

Excellence

Striving for excellence and integrity in training, research and all professional undertakings.

Our Journey

Key Milestones

1998

Institute Founded

Amref Health Africa established MHSI in Maridi to train mid-level health cadres during South Sudan's civil war, supported by Amref Italy.

2005

Comprehensive Peace Agreement

The CPA enabled in-country coordination with the Ministry of Health in Juba, allowing broader government collaboration.

2006–2012

Expanding Partnerships

EU, Global Affairs Canada, and SIDA through UNFPA joined as donor partners. New courses added including Public Health, Midwifery, and Environmental Health.

2012

Programme Consolidation

Programmes were consolidated and MHSI focused on the three core diploma programmes that continue to define its academic offering today.

January 2023

Self-Sponsored Model

The institute transitioned to a fully self-sponsored model, beginning the year with 80 continuing students under direct NMoH oversight.

2024–Present

1,000+ Graduates

Over 1,000 health professionals trained and deployed across South Sudan's hospitals and community health centres, with many holding key leadership positions.

Our Goal

Producing Competent Health Professionals

To produce health care providers who have the technical, clinical, and professional competencies required to provide health services in South Sudan and beyond.

MHSI is well-known across South Sudan for quality training. It is well equipped with training materials including qualified and competent health tutors. Most graduates today hold key positions in the health system within and outside South Sudan.

View Our Programmes

25+

Years Training

1,000+

Graduates