On April 28 a group of parliamentarians participated in a study visit to Khammouane Provincial Health School (North of Lao PDR) where UNFPA supports a Community Midwife Program.
The School receives technical and financial support, as well as significant teaching and learning materials from UNFPA through the project of Implementation of the National Skilled Birth Attendance plan in Lao PDR (2009-2011). This project in particular supports the Community Midwife (CMW) programme for upgrading existing auxiliary nurse-midwife (ANM). UNFPA in collaboration with other development partners supports the Lao Ministry of Health for the re-institution of the professional midwife training programme in Lao PDR after more than two decades gap. The program have granted 8 provincial schools for upgrading the classrooms, offices, skills laboratories and libraries in order to commence the CMW programme.
One of the delegates present at the visit, Hon. Ms. Chieko Nohno, Senator from Japan, who is also a former midwife, recognized the relevance of the school for the reduction of maternal and child deaths and disabilities and emphasized on "the importance and need for skilled and competent midwives to achieving the MDGs."
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Ever since she was a young girl, Mrs. Bounma Kingsalath dreamed of becoming a midwife. In 1971 she moved from Hin Boun, a small village close to the river, to Vientiane capital with the firm purpose of joining the Midwifery Training Program to help women from her community to give birth safely. In 20 years as a midwife she assisted around 6000 childbirths. This experience led her to become the Deputy Director of the Khammouane Province School of Health, where she taught for 17 years Maternal and Newborn Health to technical nurses and other students.
Kingsalath, retired a few months ago after a 37-year career in maternal health, knows very well the benefits of midwifery. Her own babies were delivered by colleague midwives. She is convinced her work "can help to reduce the death of mothers and newborns in remote areas"
