Skopje, 24 September - UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in partnership with the Government starts a fortnight training today aimed for reducing maternal and newborn mortality. The training on effective perinatal care for multidisciplinary teams consisted of gynecologists/obstetricians, neonatologists and midwives takes place at the University Clinic of Gynecology & Obstretics in Skopje and will be conducted according to the latest World Health Organisation protocols and standards.

“Several months ago, here, with support from UNFPA and the WHO international consultants, the group of health workers (gynecologists/obstetricians, neonatologists and midwives) were trained according to the WHO standards and protocols“, said at the opening the University Clinic Director Viktorija Jovanovska.

She added that these trained trainers, today, starts the first out of several trainings that will be held in the maternity wards throughout the country. “The benefits can already be seen. The trainers implement the practices that they had learned and that contribute to reducing the negative implications towards newborn health“, said Jovanovska.

The training is specific in terms of multidisciplinary teams consisted of three types of health workers profiles - gynecologists/obstetricians, neonatologists and midwives that will gain an evidence-based skills and knowledge, and it has theoretical and practical part. The training with 24 participants (medical personnel) aimed at improving performance of the existing health workforce, moving towards evidence-based and people-centered approaches, promoting team-based delivery of care, as well as enhancing the quality of care and utilizing the scarce health care resources more efficiently.

This training is part of the joint co-financed project of UNFPA and the Government in line with the government priorities and UNFPA Country Programme 2016-2020.

“The training is a crucial in terms of perinatal care for the mother and the newborn. That is the reason for having the multidisciplinary teams who implement evidence-based practices“, said Afrodita Shalja-Plavjanska, UNFPA Sexual and Reproductive Health and Youth Program Analyst. She added that after the trainings there will be a monitoring on the implemented practices.

An intensive complementary support is planned in line with the Agreement that will include mentoring the implemented training knowledge about perinatal care, and adaptation and implementation of the protocols. This will include medical education of the gynecologists/obstetricians, neonatologists and midwives as well as raising the awareness amongst women and their families about eventual risks during the pregnancy and the delivery.