While our medical clinic for nomads continues to treat several hundred patients each month, pregnant women in labor typically can’t make the journey to the clinic and instead stay in their encampment giving birth with little or no assistance. This leads to one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world. The foundation launched a midwife training program in November 2011, not just because we saw the need for it but because the nomads asked for medical care in their encampments. Wherever possible, the foundation’s goal is to give the nomads the means and materials to help themselves. With this in mind, our medical director, Dr. Bob Skankey created a program to train midwives and health care liaisons in remote nomadic communities. Drawing on a lifetime of experience (he has delivered 3,500 babies), years of volunteer work in developing countries and three years’ experience directing the Tamesna clinic, Dr. Skankey traveled to Niger in November to launch the new midwife program. Five pilot communities chose respected and experienced women for intensive training at Tamesna’s new education center.
Each received a kit with medicine, equipment and a cell phone allowing her to call the nurse at the medical clinic as needed.
Prenatal care emphasized hydration and nutrition including the use of prenatal vitamins and the value of moringa leaves as a supplement.
The need for sanitary technique including a clean birth place, proper hand washing and use of sterile gloves were covered.
Dr. Skankey discussed the three stages of labor and then demonstrated birthing with a pelvic mannequin.
Complications and the use of essential medicines to prevent infection and post partum hemorrhage.
Each midwife was then asked to demonstrate her understanding of the birth process and the use of every piece of equipment and medicine in her bag.
All completed with flying colors and received their graduation certificate and a rotary pin. Many thanks to Rotary club for funding this mission.
Each month the nurse will follow up with training and consultation missions to every participating encampment. I have lost many young friends to childbirth and know too many grandmothers raising their orphaned grandchildren. Last year, I showed the two year old son of Kiki (below) a photograph of his mother who died while giving birth to him. He had never seen her. We hope this program will diminish these tragic deaths.
