As the curtain fell down on the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) African Chapter Congress in Nairobi, a new institution was born. The Confederation of African Midwives (CONAMA) is the first conglomeration of African midwifery associations that have come together to ensure high standards in the midwifery profession. ICM President Frances Day-Stirk presided over the congress that brought together over 300 midwives from nearly 20 African countries. “Africa is a continent of complex capabilities and therefore provides a good environment for progressive and retrogressive development,” Day-Stirk noted. Progressive development, she said, can be accelerated by sharing of capacity building among member associations, efficient use of each other’s unique capabilities and development of a common vision. To ensure reduction of the high maternal mortality rates, Day Stirk called for focus on research, collaboration, partnership and education as key to improving standards of midwifery services.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the congress and launch of CONAMA, AMREF Director General Dr Teguest Guerma commended the efforts of the ICM and various national midwifery associations across the continent on their efforts to support development of the midwifery workforce. “I appreciate the fact that the conference is both a venue to share experiences and also a learning forum where midwives can improve their skills in saving the lives of mothers and newborns and equip them to conduct evidence-based maternal and child health care,” she said.
Maternal health is key to AMREF’s agenda and the ICM forum provided a good platform to advance the international Stand Up for African Mothers campaign, which aims to train 15,000 more midwives across 13 African countries by 2015. Midwives play a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing of mothers, children and families and therefore contribute significantly towards the development of the continent. According to the International Confederation of Midwives, midwives can prevent up to 60 per cent of maternal deaths if they are educated, competent and authorised to practice to their optimal ability during pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
