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Despite significant progress, Sierra Leone continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 717 deaths per 100,000 live births. Many of these deaths are preventable with proper management by skilled health providers. However, the primary obstacle is the lack of hands-on training and mentorship for midwives.
To address this, Healey International Relief Foundation (HIRF), Together for Global Health, and other local and international partners have developed an innovative strategy to provide essential training aimed at saving the lives of mothers and babies.
In order to develop the skill sets needed to address high maternal and newborn mortality rates, Healey International Relief Foundation (HIRF), Together for Global Health, and several other organizations working in Sierra Leone, began collaborating and designing a program to address this issue.
Together we determined the most effective way to build capacity and empower midwives is through a series of regional conferences and workshops and refresher trainings. The program focus is on developing the necessary skills and providing hands-on training and mentorship to midwives.
The inaugural conference took place in Bo, Sierra Leone, in January 2024. During this event, 98 healthcare workers specializing in maternal and newborn health received essential training to improve their knowledge and skills in handling life saving procedures. You can learn more about our successful conference by viewing our blog post.
Participants reported the training was useful to their work and that they would be using the training in when they returned to their healthcare facilities. One participant noted, “I am so grateful I was part of this training. It is very relevant. This will help us to remember things that we have forgotten and that we need to know.”
A major goal of the program is to not just build individual capacity but to establish a sustainable training process. To achieve this, Rising Trainers were selected and given advanced skills and knowledge. These trainers are now equipped to share their expertise with other healthcare professionals at their respective facilities, ensuring that the training continues and the impact expands beyond the initial conference. You can view the full extent of our impact by viewing our conference report.
“Empowering nurses in low-income countries with expert training is not just a noble cause, it is a lifeline. Each skillfully guided pregnancy, each expertly delivered newborn, each mother returning home healthy to her family — these are the ripples of impact that stretch far beyond the conference walls. The impact of this training and the collaboration of these organizations in global health weave a stronger fabric of support, paving the way for a healthier future for all.”
–Josephine Garnem-HIRF Executive Director
Our next conference will be in January 2025 in Kenema. Healthcare challenges in this district are significant, with higher maternal and infant mortality rates.
The most recent Maternal Death Surveillance and Response Report showed that the Kenema District reported the third highest number of maternal deaths among the 16 districts in Sierra Leone.
Additional conferences are being planned in other key areas of Sierra Leone.
Over half of deaths of newborns and half of maternal deaths result from poor quality of care. With hands-on training designed specifically to address the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths this trend can be reversed.
Our innovative strategy to improve care for women and children is already making a difference in the Bo District but we need your help to bring this training to other districts.
Please support us in this life saving effort.
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