March 11, 2016 By Regina Pratt
Medical Service Providers from government hospitals and peripheral health units in the eastern and southern regions have ended three days of training on competency based Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (EMONC) in maternity units/complexes in both regions of the country.
The training, held at the Youth Sports Club in Kenema and the Bo Friendship House respectively, was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), with support from UNFPA. Participants included doctors, midwives, nurses and community health officers.
In her opening remarks, course director for the training Sister Frances Fofonah said the purpose of the training was to build the capacity of nurses for quality and efficient service delivery at hospitals and peripheral health units.
She stated that maternal and infant mortality is an emergency in the country, which occurs during pregnancy and child birth.
Sister Fofanah further said the training was to enable medical personnel handle medical complications, as emergency obstetric and newborn care is a critical area in the national health strategy plan.
She disclosed that 536 women die during pregnancy complication, with 99% occurring in poor communities, adding that some of the causes of maternal death are obstructed labour and delay by community people, among others. She said that UNFPA and the government want to reduce unwanted fertility and to ensure quality access to contraceptive service.
UNFPA national programme analyst for sexual reproductive health rights, Safiatu A. Foday, said her organisation was determined to give full package of support to government to boost the health system in the country.
Ms. Foday stated that UNFPA was desirous to provide competent service to maternal units and to help improve skills of health workers to enable them handle complications pregnant women encounter.
She noted that UNFPA supports the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in order to mitigate maternal mortality in all peripheral health units and major hospitals in the country.
“UNFPA has rehabilitated some of the health centres with modern facilities to enhance effective and efficient service delivery for both pregnant women and unborn child,” she said.
District Medical Officer (DMO) at the Kenema Government Hospital, Dr. Mohamed Vandi, commended UNFPA for their support to government in reducing maternal deaths in the country.
Dr. Vandi stated that building the capacity of health staff was the right policy option, noting the need for refresher courses in the medical field as technology advances every day.
He said there are several factors associated with maternal death, such as accessibility to health facility and lack of enough knowledge and skills in handling some of the complicated cases.