British Doctors Foster Better Ties In Iraq To Reduce Toll Of Maternal And Neonatal Mortality

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 06 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq (HESR) in London. The MoU aims to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare in the Kurdistan Region, through education and clinical standards setting.

By working together, the RCOG International Office and the HESR will develop uniform standards of practice, and progress education and training in women's reproductive healthcare and care of the newborn in Iraq. The MoU will run for three years from May 2008 and is renewable by mutual agreement when the term is complete.

The aim is to develop health systems to meet local demand in Iraq; to establish collaborative working across different professionals in the field; create practical links with policy makers; and engage with local obstetricians and gynaecologists to implement strategies and bring about results.

To achieve this, maternity and gynaecological standards of care will be designed along with development of evidence-based guidelines to cater for local needs.

Existing RCOG training and professional development tools will be introduced and tailored to the Kurdistan Region. These tools include a visiting examiners and lecturers programme; video conferencing between London and Kurdistan; access to StratOG the online medical learning resource; and local access to RCOG membership examinations.

Along with this, there will be opportunities for clinical observations in the UK for senior doctors and up to two-year clinical placements for mid-career doctors to extend their experience.

Anthony Falconer, RCOG Senior Vice President - International, said: "It is 2008 and yet, around the world, 600,000 women still die annually because of complications during pregnancy and birth. This is an outrageous situation, particularly because 99% of these deaths are preventable. Such prevention can be achieved through the provision of skilled birth attendants and access to essential obstetric care services. Both facilities require the education and training of appropriate professionals.

"The RCOG International Office works with governments, international organisations and within its own global network of members to make a positive impact on sexual and reproductive healthcare in resource-poor countries. It is extremely exciting to be collaborating with the HESR and professionals within Kurdistan to discover effective ways of extending reproductive and sexual healthcare in that region, where conditions are challenging and the clinical need so great."

Notes

Maternal mortality in Iraq is 300 deaths per 100 000 live births (World Health Organisation, Maternal Mortality in 2005, estimates developed by WHO, Unicef, UNFPA and the World Bank , 2007).

The RCOG International Office was established in November 2006 and currently has projects in India, Kenya, Kurdistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Somaliland, Sri Lanka and Yeman.

Our aims and objectives are:

- to draw on the expertise and experience of the RCOG and its global network to make an effective contribution to improving sexual and reproductive healthcare worldwide. In particular to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity by increasing awareness of maternal health at global, regional and national levels to politicians, professionals and the public

- to focus on capacity development through training, exchange programmes, provision of guidelines and setting standards that are relevant to the local situation. For example, the delivery of our Life Saving Skills Manual and Course with a focus on emergency obstetric care for use by midwives, clinical officers, medical assistants and doctors working in resource-poor settings

- to work with governments and international organisations at policy level to get long term "buy-in" to improving quality of care and education including regular monitoring and evaluation

- to develop and apply new knowledge gathered through research, which meets local needs and directly informs policy

- to work in partnership with other UK and international agencies

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists