Vanuatu’s shortage of midwives has led nurses from Malampa, Penama and Sanma to join midwives in emergency newborn care training at Northern Provincial Hospital this week, strengthening the number of health workers able to respond to emergencies during childbirth.

The Pacific Emergency Newborn training brings together midwives and nurses from the three provinces to build their skills in responding to emergencies involving mothers and newborns.

Sanma Public Health Manager Susan Wokeke said Vanuatu does not have enough midwives, who are specialised in caring for women during pregnancy and delivery.

“The situation in our country and in our provinces is that we are short of midwives. Midwives specialise in caring for women during pregnancy and delivery, but we are short. That is why we are conducting this training. We have brought the midwives together so that what they learn can be shared with the nurses when they return to their own workplaces.”

Ms Wokeke said including nurses in the training is important because they can also gain the knowledge and skills needed to support mothers and newborns, particularly during emergency situations.

She said many of the participants have reported learning new skills and have been able to reflect on their existing practices.

“Many have given feedback that they have learned many things and reflected on their own practices. The training has helped them correct some practices they have been doing which can contribute to the health and wellbeing of mothers during pregnancy and delivery and their babies.”

Training responds to real challenges

The training also comes after experiences at Northern Provincial Hospital and health centres across the northern provinces where emergency situations during childbirth have highlighted the importance of having health workers with the necessary skills available.

A midwife from Tasiriki Health Centre said she had experienced a case where a mother lost her baby after not receiving health services in time.

She said the training has strengthened her confidence and will help her improve her work when she returns to her health centre.

“I believe and trust in myself that when I return after this training, I will be able to make improvements and changes in my workplace.”

The training is the first Pacific Emergency Newborn training to bring together health workers from the northern provinces.

Participants are expected to take the knowledge and skills gained back to their respective workplaces and share them with other nurses and health workers.