-Partners pledge to continue support
Health partners in Liberia have recognized the tremendous contributions nurses and midwives to providing quality health services and promised their continuous support to them, as Liberia joined the world in celebrations the 2019 International Day of Midwives and the International Nursing Day.
Both days were celebrated on May 5 and May 12, respectively.
The USAID-funded NGO, Jhpiego’s official, Mrs. Marion Subah said that about 70% of the global health workforce are nurses and midwives.
She stressed that the health of Liberia rests with nurses and midwives by combining the art of caring compassionately with evidence-based scientific best practices making sure lives are saved, health is improved and communities are transformed.
“Nurses and midwives”, Ms. Subah added, “are the engines in the health care delivery system and therefore we should practice our profession the right way,” Mrs. Subah said. A Jhpiego press release says local and international health partners, who participated in the ceremony, are the World Bank, Global Fund, and Jhpiego, as well as the leadership and staff of
the Central Ministry of Health and scores of nurses and midwives representing the Liberian Nurses Association and Liberia Midwives Association.
The two celebrations were preceded by a joint launch ceremony at the Central Ministry of Health in Monrovia.
Liberia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Tarloh Quiwonkpa recently made history when for the first time ever, she performed a joint launch of the two events. She praised nurses and midwives for rendering health services to the Liberian population, especially women and children over the years.
Mrs. Quiwonkpa assured the health workers of the government’s support to improve their working conditions.
The activities to mark the celebrations of the International Day of Midwives day were held from May 3-5, 2019 under the theme: “Midwives, Defenders of Women’s Rights”.
The occasion recognizes and highlights the work of midwives around the World and is intended to motivate member associations, partners and stakeholders to raise awareness about the status of midwives and the essential care they provide to mothers and their newborns. Over 200 midwives from across Liberia’s 15 counties participated in the activities.
| D. Tweh High students during FP session |
On May 3, 2019, the Liberia Midwives Association carried out Family Planning awareness counseling and service delivery at five senior high schools and six health facilities within Monrovia. At the D. Tweh High School in New Kru Town, a team of midwives interacted with about 226 12th grader. During the session, the midwives shared relevant information about the available FP services, their benefits, and how to access these services, and provided answers to students’ questions on myths and misconception about Family Planning.
A Fundraising Dinner was held on May 4, 2019 for the construction of the National Midwifery Headquarters costing over two hundred thousand United States Dollars was held at the Paynesville City Hall. During the dinner, “five super midwives” were honored and certificated for their long service and outstanding performances.
Nurses Celebration
On May 8, 2019 the Liberian Nurses Association began the observance of a week-long of activities to commemorate the International Nurses Day celebrated under the theme: “Nursing; the Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit”.
| Nursing students at the program |
The event started with an official Ceremony and launch of three initiatives including; Nursing Now; Critical Care Nursing; and Student Nurses Association. Jhpiego supported and formally launched the Nursing Now platform held at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia.
Delivering the Goodwill Message on behalf of Ministry of Health, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer of Liberia, Tarloh Quiwonkpa spoke about challenges facing health care providers in the delivery of quality health care to their clients. She mentioned the high maternal deaths, inadequate support and supplies to nurses and midwives including the supply of equipment, and the suppression of their views by bosses. Ms. Quiwonkpa maintained that nurses without requisite equipment to work with can be compared to sending military personnel to the frontline without arms and ammunition. She thanked donors including Jhpiego who have continued to support the work of nurses and midwives.
A special message from the Jhpiego President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leslie Mancuso on the observance of the International Day of Midwives and International Nurses Day was delivered by Marion Subah. In her message, Dr. Mancuso applauded the selfless women and men who deliver lifesaving health care to Liberian families and encouraged them to step up and lead in ensuring that families have the care they need to reach their full potential, and affirmed Jhpiego’s stand to support midwives in this worthy goal.