Dear Colleagues and Friends,
As we embark on another year, I am deeply moved by the strides we have made in advancing midwifery education and elevating our courses to global recognition. The responsibility we bear towards expanding midwifery services for mothers and training for healthcare systems of all kinds, is substantial, and I am committed to steering us towards excellence.
It’s with great enthusiasm that I extend an invitation to all talented and passionate midwives eager to embark on a transformative journey. We recognise the crucial need for your support to amplify the impact of midwifery care, catering to the increasing numbers of women choosing this path. One avenue to achieve this is through direct entry into midwifery, a realm where I have witnessed exceptional proficiency among our colleagues.
India needs a robust midwifery society to nurture and bolster a fresh cohort of midwives and educators who have successfully completed their comprehensive eighteen-month midwifery programme. The Fernandez National Midwifery Training Institute, endorsed by the Government of India, stands as a testament to this commitment. With the WHO’s support, we’ve successfully graduated two cohorts of national midwifery educator training and aided two cohorts of Telangana educator training, alongside nurturing 350 midwifery practitioners, supported by UNICEF and the Telangana government.
Presently, our efforts are focused on the ongoing training of 19 national midwifery educators from Andhra Pradesh, a clear reflection of our unwavering dedication to reshaping India’s maternal health landscape.
I implore India to prioritise the establishment of a foundation of clinically proficient midwives, as this is pivotal for the success of midwifery birth centres. It’s equally crucial for obstetrician colleagues to comprehend and value the role and scope of practice of midwives as indispensable peer colleagues.
Our country still requires clinically seasoned midwives equipped with teaching expertise to fortify the ongoing developments. If you possess the qualifications and desire to effect substantial change by nurturing a robust midwifery profession, I encourage you to explore this opportunity. This role, spanning a minimum commitment of six months, is a compensated position that promises invaluable growth in your career through dedicated hard work.
Let us join hands in transforming maternal healthcare in India, empowering women, and forging a brighter future for generations to come. Please contact midwifery@fernandez.foundation for more information regarding midwifery opportunities.