Foto: action medeor / Boris Breuer Info Foto: action medeor / Boris Breuer Sierra Leone Improved maternal and child health through the training and further education of midwives Programs In Sierra Leone, the risk of maternal mortality during childbirth is very high: in 2010, the country had the highest maternal mortality rate worldwide. Although significant improvements have been achieved in subsequent years, the rate remains high, including in comparison with other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the high maternal mortality rate is not the only challenge in the area of maternal and child health: infant mortality also remains high, and pregnancies at a young age (15–19 years) are particularly common in rural areas of Sierra Leone. An important factor in protecting the health and lives of pregnant women and newborns is increasing the number of births attended by skilled health personnel. Progress has already been made in this regard, for example through the introduction of free healthcare for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as for children under the age of five. Nevertheless, there are significant disparities between rural and urban regions and a general shortage of healthcare staff. Many midwives migrate from rural areas to larger cities, as they face poorer working conditions, isolation, and inadequate medical equipment in rural settings. In addition, health facilities in rural areas are often underutilized because they are difficult for patients to access and because there is insufficient awareness of available antenatal and postnatal care services. Partner Organizations Caritas Bo, a member of Caritas International, is engaged in primary healthcare provision and contributes to reducing maternal and newborn mortality through high-quality midwifery training. Cooperation between Caritas Bo and action medeor has been ongoing for more than six years and has led to the successful completion of numerous projects, including the establishment and further development of the midwifery school in Bo. The Christian Health Association Sierra Leone (CHASL) is a Christian non-governmental organization from Sierra Leone that serves as an umbrella organization for health facilities of various denominations across the country. CHASL provides approximately 30 percent of healthcare services in Sierra Leone, making it the second-largest healthcare provider in the country after the government. Thanks to its strong local networks and close collaboration with local decision-makers and religious leaders, CHASL plays a particularly important role in supporting the project’s community-based activities. The Project: Strengthening the Health System and Training Midwives To strengthen midwifery training and contribute to a reduction in maternal mortality, action medeor collaborates with its partner organizations Caritas Sierra Leone Bo and the Christian Health Association Sierra Leone (CHASL). The joint project aims in particular to improve healthcare services in rural areas and therefore focuses on training midwifery students for deployment in rural regions. For this purpose, a dormitory for 50 students will be constructed on the premises of the midwifery school in Bo. In addition, maternal and child healthcare services will be improved through various training and continuing education measures for midwives. Members of communities in southern Sierra Leone - including male decision-makers as well as traditional and religious leaders - are also educated about maternal and child health and actively involved in the project. To further strengthen healthcare provision in rural communities, so-called Facility Management Committees (FMCs) are engaged. These committees are responsible for maintaining health facilities, supporting health personnel in finding accommodation, and reporting infrastructure gaps. To reinforce this system, inactive FMCs are revitalized and supported through regular exchange with one another. Graduates of midwifery training programs are also encouraged to strengthen their networks in order to jointly advocate for improvements in the midwifery sector. Project descriptionProject Goal: Improving the healthcare provision of mothers and chrildren with midwifery training, continuing professional development, networking, and community-based engagementProject Focus: sexual and reproductive health and rights, educationTarget Group: Direct target group: 200 midwifery students, 242 graduated midwives, 120 practicing midwives, and 100 nurses 60 practicing midwives, 60 clinical mentors, 40 maternal and child health aides, 40 Community Health Aides (CHAs), 100 community health nurses, and 6 clinical instructors receive professional training Income-generating support for 225 community health workers from 15 communities in Moyamba Establishment of 15 Facility Management Committees in Moyamba Awareness-raising sessions on maternal and child health for 300 community members Self-help groups for 75 pregnant and breastfeeding women Provision of obstetric equipment for 16 health facilities Strengthening advocacy capacities of 60 alumni association members, 6 lecturers, 5 practicing midwives, 105 midwifery students, and 25 members of the Midwives’ Association Indirect target group: Through the training measures and the equipping of health facilities, healthcare services for pregnant women and children under five years of age in the project area will be improved. Project Area: Moyamba and Bo District, Southern province, Sierra LeoneProject Activities: Creation of an attractive and affordable learning environment at the Bo Midwifery School through the construction of a new dormitory for 50 midwifery students per year Strengthening the capacities of 15 communities in Moyamba to improve maternal and child health Strengthening the lobbying and advocacy capacities of midwifery alumni Improved healthcare services in the Southern Province through training and the provision of equipment Project Duration: Oktober 2024 – Oktober 2028Financial Volume: 1,493,333 eurosPartner Organisation: Caritas Bo Sierra Leone; Christian Health Association Sierra Leone (CHASL)Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany (BMZ)Project Number: 6000239 Your contact person Sandra Boermann Program Manager Sierra Leone Phone: +49 2156 9788-138 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.