Expert midwives to improve outcomes in PNG
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“PNG’s maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the Western Pacific and skilled attendance at birth is low, mainly due to an acute shortage of midwives, poor accessibility of services, lack of adequate facilities for birth and low levels of trust in public services.” This stark assessment of the maternal health crisis currently enfolding Papua New Guinea, by University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Professor of Midwifery Caroline Homer, is sobering evidence of the health challenges experienced by many countries throughout the world, in this case Australia’s nearest neighbour. Against such a backdrop, it seems safe to assume that a new program to improve maternal health outcomes in PNG by supporting high quality midwifery education will be a welcome development for the country’s health sector. Funded by AusAID, the $US10 million program will provide backing over two years to improve maternal health outcomes by supporting high quality midwifery education. Its remit is to help accelerate the country’s progress towards Millennium Development Goals for improved maternal health, A key tenet of the program, Professor Homer confirmed, will be the recruitment by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre at UTS (WHO CC UTS) and the WHO office in Papua New Guinea, of eight international expert midwives to work at each of PNG’s four midwifery schools; two in Port Moresby, one in Madang and one in Goroka. Professor Homer said a key initial priority would be capacity building through education; with project participants working alongside PNG midwives to impart evidence based practice models as well as contemporary approaches to teaching. The program forms just one part of the PNG Government’s recent push to improve maternal and infant health, and, if the figures are any indication, it’s a much needed initiative. “In the 10 years from 1996 to 2006 the average number of maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births rose from 370 to 730. That’s a shocking statistic, and it should be going down, not up,” Professor Homer said. “This new initiative will enable us to implement measures that make a difference. For example many maternal deaths occur due to post-partum haemorrhage; with good midwifery and obstetric care we should be able to help reduce that.” Although PNG’s schools had a core of skilled and motivated educators, their teaching and clinical skills needed to be further developed and supported if the quality of graduates was to improve and quality services were to be delivered. Related articles: Share your thoughts Related and Recent Articles
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