PNG needs more trained midwives

Papua New Guinea needs to train more midwives to help address the high infant mortality and maternal rate.

Papua New Guinea needs to train more midwives to help address the high infant mortality and maternal rate.

PNG Midwifery Society president Jennifer Pyakalyia has called for more training for midwives at the universities and colleges in the country.

Pyakalyia said at least 20 midwives should be trained at each of the five midwifery institutions in the country if PNG is serious about improving maternal and new born health.

The institutions are the University of Papua New Guinea, Pacific Adventist University, University of Goroka, St Mary’s School of Nursing and Lae School of Nursing.

Pyakalyia emphasised the need to assign at least one well-trained midwife in each of the 89 districts in PNG, and for this to happen, there need to be set targets for continued midwifery graduates every year.

Pyakalyia said: “Our target is to train at least 20 in each of the five midwifery schools that will give us a 100 each year.”

She added that this needs support and funding and called on the Health Department to look into it.

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Author: 
Quintina Naime