Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has joined the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the world in marking International Day of the Midwife, celebrated annually on May 5.
Mariam al-Mutawa, acting deputy chief nursing officer at HMC, nursing lead for the Covid-19 Tactical Command Group and executive director of Nursing at Rumailah Hospital said that the HMC’s maternal health services provided excellent support across various hospitals that cared for mothers with Covid-19 and their newborns.
“Our midwifery services are so important, especially during such challenging times as this pandemic. We have cared for women who were Covid-19 positive who have given birth, as well as new mothers and their newborn babies who needed to be in quarantine facilities. At the heart of our efforts is the safety and wellbeing of mother and baby and this is what each of our midwives is dedicated to,” said, al-Mutawa.
“Within these years we have continuously used midwifery education to transform and improving practices, updating all competencies following ICM recommendation and evidence-based practices. We therefore celebrate the achievements of midwives and their contribution to the Covid-19 responses and constant efforts to improve reproductive, maternal, and newborn health outcomes,” she added.
HMC has been committed to developing its midwifery practice and education over the past few years with the expansion of Clinical Midwife Specialists, Midwife-Led Clinics, Childbirth classes, Community Postnatal Home Care and Midwifery Education.
Haila Swaid Salim, executive director of nursing at the Women’s Wellness and Research Centre said that due to the infection control measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, face-to-face clinics have to be reduced, but the teams have found alternative ways to stay connected with the women in their care.
“The Covid-19 restrictions meant that ante-natal classes could no longer be offered in the hospitals, but our resourceful teams have adapted to ensure continuity of care across all our maternity facilities.
We adapted to virtual consultations to ensure continuity of care, support and reassurance for many women, their partners and family. These services are delivered by our highly experienced and trained midwives. Where necessary, mothers are seeing face to face; but if the pregnancy is going well, the virtual consultation enables mothers to benefit from the expert advice while in the comfort and safety of their own home. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” explained, Salim.
This year’s International Day of the Midwife theme, “Follow the Data: Invest in Midwives” aligns closely with the State of the World’s Midwifery Report 2021, due to be published this month. Co-led by UNFPA, WHO and ICM, the report provides an updated evidence base and detailed analysis on the impact of midwives on maternal and newborn health outcomes and the return on investment in midwives.
“Our midwifery services are so important, especially during such challenging times as this pandemic. We have cared for women who were Covid-19 positive who have given birth, as well as new mothers and their newborn babies who needed to be in quarantine facilities. At the heart of our efforts is the safety and wellbeing of mother and baby and this is what each of our midwives is dedicated to,” said, al-Mutawa.
“Within these years we have continuously used midwifery education to transform and improving practices, updating all competencies following ICM recommendation and evidence-based practices. We therefore celebrate the achievements of midwives and their contribution to the Covid-19 responses and constant efforts to improve reproductive, maternal, and newborn health outcomes,” she added.
HMC has been committed to developing its midwifery practice and education over the past few years with the expansion of Clinical Midwife Specialists, Midwife-Led Clinics, Childbirth classes, Community Postnatal Home Care and Midwifery Education.
Haila Swaid Salim, executive director of nursing at the Women’s Wellness and Research Centre said that due to the infection control measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, face-to-face clinics have to be reduced, but the teams have found alternative ways to stay connected with the women in their care.
“The Covid-19 restrictions meant that ante-natal classes could no longer be offered in the hospitals, but our resourceful teams have adapted to ensure continuity of care across all our maternity facilities.
We adapted to virtual consultations to ensure continuity of care, support and reassurance for many women, their partners and family. These services are delivered by our highly experienced and trained midwives. Where necessary, mothers are seeing face to face; but if the pregnancy is going well, the virtual consultation enables mothers to benefit from the expert advice while in the comfort and safety of their own home. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” explained, Salim.
This year’s International Day of the Midwife theme, “Follow the Data: Invest in Midwives” aligns closely with the State of the World’s Midwifery Report 2021, due to be published this month. Co-led by UNFPA, WHO and ICM, the report provides an updated evidence base and detailed analysis on the impact of midwives on maternal and newborn health outcomes and the return on investment in midwives.
