Promoting reflection, professionalism, and respectful, patient-centred care
The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ECSACOG) successfully conducted a Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) Workshop for healthcare providers in Juba, South Sudan. This important training session aimed to support personal reflection, strengthen professional ethics, and promote non-judgmental, patient-centred care in the provision of reproductive health services.
The VCAT approach is a globally recognized methodology that helps healthcare workers explore their own values, biases, and attitudes around sensitive reproductive health topics — particularly those related to abortion care, family planning, and adolescent health. By fostering open dialogue, empathy, and critical self-awareness, the workshop encourages providers to align their clinical practice with principles of respect, dignity, and evidence-based care.
Participants in the Juba workshop included nurses, midwives, doctors, and other frontline health professionals. Through facilitated sessions, role-plays, and guided reflection, attendees were empowered to examine how their personal beliefs may influence patient interactions and health outcomes.
ECSACOG’s VCAT workshops are an essential part of broader efforts to improve the quality and equity of reproductive healthcare across the region. In contexts like South Sudan, where stigma and access barriers can limit care, VCAT plays a crucial role in promoting trust, compassion, and respectful service delivery.
ECSACOG extends appreciation to all participants for their openness and commitment to personal and professional growth. Together, we move toward a healthcare system that not only treats — but listens, respects, and empowers every woman.
