10,000 Happy Birthdays is a comprehensive project to reduce maternal and new-born mortality and morbidity by increasing the skills and competencies of midwives and strengthening midwifery associations. The concrete goal of this project is to train up to 1500 health care providers in the context of the “Helping Mothers Survive and Helping Babies Survive” training programs.
Often in rural settings, the same provider cares for a woman and her newborn. Therefore, by combining the two programs, health care providers are best able to provide high-quality, life-saving care to both women and newborns at this most critical time.
The project is implemented in Malawi and Zambia and based on identified local community needs. Quality assurance in capacity building is provided through technical support by the International Confederation of Midwives. Project sustainability is ensured through the engagement of local Rotary clubs and national midwifery associations.
Expected project outcomes:
· Improvement in the lifesaving skills of up to 1,500 midwives
· Improvement in women’s access to skilled health care providers
· Institutionalization of quality improvement and learning through Low Dose High Frequency (LDHF) approach.
· Development of midwifery schools as centers of excellence for competency-based education
· Contribution to national efforts of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Globally around 300,000 women and 2.7 million new-borns die every year from preventable causes related to pregnancy and child birth. Investing in well- trained midwives and the health systems that support them can save millions of lives by 2030.
Photo Credits: Christin Landmark – IPDG - District 2250
Key Data
Project Area: Malawi and Zambia – five districts per country
Objectives: 1) Train healthcare providers, 2) Reduce maternal and new-born mortality and morbidity
Time frame: 2018 - 2019
Budget: $110,000 per project - $220,000 in total
Host partners: RC Bwaila, Malawi (District 9210), RC Lusaka Central, Zambia (District 9210).
International partner: District 2250, Norway
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Contribution: 3.1, 3.2, 4.4, 17.9 |
