KUALA LUMPUR 26-27 May – The message that was echoed by all the participants of the second global midwifery symposium was that midwives are key in curbing maternal and child mortality. The two-day symposium focused on the key issues and challenges in strengthening quality, availability and accessibility of midwifery care. There was also a focus on innovations as strategies for strengthening quality midwifery care, access and availability. Key partners from different countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas shared their experiences and the strategies applied to ensure that every woman got access to quality midwifery care while ensuring culturally acceptability.
Centre, Caroline Mbindyo, eHealth Programme Manager AMREF discusses challenges faced in using eLearning
Caroline Mbindyo, eHealth Programme Manager at AMREF was among the panelists who discussed the different innovations that could be used in ensuring quality midwifery skills. Caroline discussed the successes and challenges of using eLearning to train midwives. Since 2005, AMREF has carried out successful eLearning initiatives in Africa in collaboration with the respective nursing councils and donors. These programmes have been scaled up and replicated by the African governments in partnership with AMREF. The discussion on the successes of AMREF’s eLearning programmes generated remarkable interest from the global partners who had a chance to learn how eHealth in Africa has transformed the way training is provided to frontline health workers in improving their decision-making skills.
The symposium ended with the launch of a joint declaration of commitment to strengthen midwifery services and address challenges to enhance progress to reduce child and maternal mortality. AMREF was among the 25 partners who pledged their support towards improving access and availability of midwifery services.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
