URUGUAY: Adequate Midwifery Services Could Save Millions Every Year
Several media outlets reported on 31 August on the Day of Latin American Midwives celebrations. Data from UNFPA’s State of World's Midwifery 2011 was used to show that 3.6 million deaths could be avoided every year if midwifery services were strengthened. An additional 350,000 midwives are still needed in the world. Uruguay has a long tradition of midwifery and the around 900 professionals who are registered as midwives in the country participate in half of the 47,000 births that take place every year in the country. Cecilia Fernández, Director of the National School of Midwives, insisted in several media interviews on the central role played by midwives in maternal health and stated that some health care providers do not include a midwife on their teams even though it is required by law. Read in Spanish: El Telégrafo, La Diaria and Sociedad Uruguaya
RWANDA: Ministry of Health and UNFPA Work to End Fistula
The New Times reported on 31 August on a collaboration between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health to end obstetric fistula. UNFPA Deputy Representative Cheikh Fall was quoted saying, “In Rwanda, the UN Family will continue to support government's efforts to fully integrate services that are permanent for continuous and holistic care of obstetric fistula cases until we entirely bring to an end this preventable and treatable condition.” Read in English: The New Times
SIERRA LEONE: National AIDS Secretariat Promotes Female Condom Among Pregnant Women
Awoko on 31 August reported that the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a sensitization forum for pregnant women on the use of female condoms at the government hospital in Kenema.
The National Coordinator for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Sister Hossainatu Kanu, said the female condom plays a major role in preventing the unborn child from contracting HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
The HIV Officer for UNFPA, Ms. Nyaibor Ngombu, explained that the female condom offers dual protection to women against STIs and unwanted pregnancies. She further intimated to her audience that female condoms will increase the woman’s confidence in herself, adding that child spacing is very important for a family as it ensures the wise use of family resources and a healthier family growth.