November 29th, 2009 :: Gearing up for 2010 events
On November 20th I had the chance to attend the wrap-up meetings for the Prevention of Post Partum Hemmorhage Initiative (POPPHI) project in Washington DC. (
http://www.pphprevention.org/overview.php ). This event included researchers, clinicians, and policy makers from all over the world to gather and discuss their efforts during the project's 5 years. POPPHI efforts have focused on the Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL), a technique to prevent postpartum hemorrhage . The results of their efforts to integrate AMTSL into every birth attendant's repertoire of skills are amazing. POPPHI's efforts have changed policy and practice around the world. The best part of the event was meeting Madame Binta Keita, the Director of the Reproductive Health Division of Mali's Ministry of Health. She told me that she is deeply committed to seeing all matrones trained to use AMTSL. This is HUGE because matrones were not previously allowed to use the drug that is needed to perform AMTSL. Now they are. Of course, funding is needed from partners to get all thee matrones trained. She encouraged me to continue to work through the Medical Director in Koutiala to continue to partner with the matrones there. See confirmed that YES they want Mali Midwives to keep working in Koutiala and that YES she is thrilled we can help to get EVERY matrone trained in AMTSL. So I was pleased to have that confirmation, from the very top of the national policy hierarchy, that Mali Midwives' efforts are not only needed and appropriate, but they are directly contributing to the MOH's policies. Bottom line(s): AMTSL save lives. The more matrones know how to use it - the fewer women die. And there is no other way I know of to help to matrones and the women they serve more directly or more efficiently than through Mali Midwives.
