I was privileged to work with the Fernandez Foundation on a groundbreaking project—establishing India’s first National Midwifery Training Institute. This pioneering initiative, backed by the Government of India and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), symbolises the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening midwifery services in India.
We are delighted to announce the newly appointed principal of our National Midwifery Training Institute, the accomplished midwife Sheetal Samson. A graduate of our in-house midwifery program and the Fernandez National Midwifery Training Institute’s educator program, Sheetal is a beacon of leadership in fortifying the midwifery profession in India.
Achievements
Training Across India: The Fernandez National Midwifery Training Institute has successfully trained sixty-one midwifery educators across 12 states, with another nineteen from Andhra Pradesh currently undergoing training.
State-Level Progress: In Telangana, we have trained twenty-two midwifery educators, making the state self-sustaining in professional midwifery training.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite the government’s support, our midwifery colleagues face challenges in their respective states of practice. Traditionally, doctors have been the primary birthing professionals, creating complexities within the nursing community. In India, both staff nurses and the new cadre of professional midwives (who undergo an additional 18-month specific training) are called midwives, leading to confusion and resistance.
A crucial step forward is for a robust nursing and midwifery council to register a nurse as a midwife only after she completes the specific 18-month training curriculum. This will help distinguish between the two roles and align with the International Confederation of Midwives standards.
Collaborative Approach
India is a hub of talented individuals who will play a pivotal role in advancing midwifery. Identifying obstetric champions to work alongside midwifery colleagues is crucial for fostering collaborative relationships and mutual respect. Dr. Evita Fernandez is a shining example of this approach, sharing the lessons learned from the Fernandez midwifery journey. Insights from the West underscore the vital role of these collaborations in serving women and their newborns.
Midwives are adept at caring for healthy women and advocating for communities. However, they must also collaborate with obstetric colleagues in caring for women with complex needs and incorporate elements of the midwifery philosophy, which recognises that some women may require the expertise of a doctor.
Our Commitment
The Fernandez midwifery team is at the forefront of offering the midwifery philosophy of care in large-volume settings. Our professional midwives provide women-centered care and run individual antenatal consultations. Our flagship hospital in Bogulkunta houses a co-located midwifery-led unit that serves the local community.
We actively offer training and invite all those interested in the midwifery program to join our team of midwives. If you share our passion and commitment to caring for women and their families and wish to be part of the exciting journey of embedding professional midwifery in India, please contact us at midwiferycare@fernandez.foundation.
