Preparing Frontline Health Workers The Role Midwifery Schools

Rosemary Kamunya Senior Technical Midwifery Advisor

Contributors
Kamunya R, Sanghvi H, Johnson P, Malonza I, Cherrie E, Lynam P

2 Jhpiego

Jhpiego/ Kenya Baltimore

FOCUS
Strengthening nursing and midwifery services in Africa by focusing on quality education and training on targeted skills Empowering midwives to lead frontline workers in maintaining skills and quality

Background
In Africa: Midwives are the frontline health care workers in delivery of health services (80 %) Shortage of health workers is below the WHO benchmark of 23/10,000 Brain drain of health care providers in search of greener pastures Competency Based and problem-based learning is limited in most Africa countries

Background
National health policy: Nurses and midwives often not mobilized or involved in policy formulation Leadership skills needs enhancement

WHY Focus in the Midwifery schools

The midwives must graduate with effective skills to immediately enter workforce Policies must favor retention of midwife for stable predictable midwifery workforce

Solutions
Midwifery schools should emphasize the major causes of MM as well as Maternal and newborn wellbeing. Innovative approaches to address morbidity and mortality on the day of birth:
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), Pre Eclampsia and Eclampsia (PE/E) Newborn asphyxia Contraceptive needs

Focus not just on facility midwifery but also community midwifery

Solutions
Focus skills acquisition and learn to maintain. Promote direct entry midwifery training rather than require midwives to be first trained as nurses

** (The State of the Worlds Midwifery 2011

Pictures on Helping Mothers Servive

JHPIEGO INNOVATIVE APPROACHES

Faculty
Standardize key skills with midwifery faculty and clinical preceptors Empower faculty through training in Effective Teaching Skills (ETS) Faculty members train students using the updated content

Training

Use cost effective training approaches - MamaNatalie / NeoNatalie simulators for on the job training HBB, BAB Support tutors, preceptors and students through live or electronic demonstrations

Facility

Supportive supervision with mentorship Train preceptors from facilities to mentor and coach nurses or midwives on best practices in MNH on the labour ward

Effects of innovative training approaches

The aim is to create a midwife with distinct capabilities responsibility with sound decision-making processes at all levels Use of best available MNH practices for the care of individuals, families and communities Midwives take charge and lead the maternal and newborn service. Supportive workplace environments

KEY WORDS
Midwifery schools are vital in creating/arming the frontline workforce