Image: Midwifery students in Timor-Leste
Burnet Institute has joined with UNFPA Asia Pacific to undertake projects aimed at strengthening midwifery education in Timor-Leste and Nepal, in an effort to reduce maternal deaths.
Burnet Co-Program Director, Maternal and Child Health, Professor Caroline ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r AO said the projects are based on findings of the global 2019 which show that improving the quality of midwifery care could avert 80 per cent of maternal deaths.
“Both Nepal and Timor-Leste are working hard to reduce their high rates of maternal mortality through a focus on midwifery,” Professor ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r said.
Image: Burnet’s Rachel Smith with midwifery students in Timor-Leste.
Professor ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r, who is leading the projects said authorities in Timor-Leste and Nepal recognised education was key to improving the quality of midwifery care.
“Both countries are looking to improve the quality and capacity of midwives through their education programs.
“It is wonderful to be able to work with them to support the growth of midwifery in their countries which we know will improve the lives of mothers and babies,” she said.
Image: A newborn at a maternity unit in Nepal (credit: Felicity Copeland)
In Timor-Leste, Burnet Midwife and Education Consultant Rachel Smith was invited to review the three pre-service midwifery curricula offered in the country and develop recommendations to ensure the curricula are nationally congruent and meet international standards for midwifery education and competent practice.
Ms Smith, supported by the UNFPA Timor Leste country office, met with the three education institutions that deliver midwifery education in Timor-Leste to review midwifery curricula and teaching and learning approaches.
With data gathered during the November visit, a desktop review and analysis will develop recommendations for strengthening midwifery education which will be presented and discussed at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop early in 2020.
In addition to visiting midwifery schools, Ms Smith had the opportunity to discuss inter-professional maternity emergency training, visit the national hospital, and meet with the Midwives Association who work tirelessly to improve midwifery education and regulation in Timor-Leste.
In Nepal, Burnet Midwife and Education Consultant Felicity Copeland has been working with the UNFPA Nepal country office and the Midwifery Association to undertake a rapid assessment of the capacity to deliver a new bridging program to strengthen midwifery education.
Ms Copeland recently travelled to maternity units and midwifery and nursing training facilities in Kathmandu and in two rural areas to undertake the assessment, and begin to develop the new bridging program that will support nurses to become qualified midwives.
Image: Felicity Copeland with the Nepal Midwives Association.
Professor ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾r and Ms Copeland will return to Nepal in 2020 to support the development of the program.
Image: Felicity Copeland travelled to Kathmandu and two rural areas of Nepal with the UNFPA team.
