Nepal: Partnership with MOHP, UNFPA, WHO and GIZ to foster Midwifery Education
RMF Equips Lab and Makes It Accessible to Students: Q2 2017
July 01, 2017
Ganesh Shrestha and Pragya Gautam
Summary of Activities
Within this program, RMF Nepal’s current priority is to support the Midwifery Education Program at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital Nursing Campus. We have been continually supporting the NAMS midwifery program from its inception in consortium with other external development partners, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), UNFPA, WHO, and GIZ to ensure that the program runs smoothly, with no duplication of efforts.
Program Update From April to June of 2017, RMF was involved in the following activities to promote midwifery education and awareness in Nepal:
- Provided 13 display racks in the Midwifery Skills Lab, 2 display cupboards in the library, and 12 steel door lockers at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Thapathali
- Provided a MamaNatalie and Neonatalie birthing simulator to learn and practice delivery skills and hemorrhage management
- Organized a Midwifery Skills Lab materials handover ceremony at NAMS Bir Hospital Nursing Campus
- Participated in the celebration of International Day of the Midwife on May 5, 2017
- As an EDP, RMF confirmed its presence in the consortium at different national-level meetings and other programs related to midwifery education

Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

International Day
RMF Efforts Recognized
International Day of the Midwife was celebrated on May 5, 2017 in an event organized by the Midwifery Society of Nepal (MIDSON) which highlighted the necessity of training professional midwives in Nepal.
NAMS Vice Chancellor Dr. Ganesh Bahadur Gurung offered concluding remarks to close out the ceremony. Above all, he happily expressed his indebtedness to RMF, explaining that he had never dealt with an organization which so readily and immediately provided the help that NAMS requested. He extended his thankfulness and stated that he hopes to go a long way with RMF collaboratively. He also wished RMF a bright future and prosperity in all its endeavors.

Lab Handover
RMF Equipped
RMF had committed to support NAMS with a midwifery skills lab, faculty training, and education materials. RMF was asked to provide cupboards and display shelves for the skills lab, and thus far, we have provided 13 display shelves for the skills lab, 2 large display cupboards for the library, and a 12-door, steel locker for students’ use at the Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Thapathali, Kathmandu.
On June 26th, 2017, Real Medicine Foundation Nepal organized a small ceremony for the handover of support materials provided for the Bachelor of Midwifery Sciences (BMS) program at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital Nursing Campus. NAMS officials, professors, and students were very happy to receive the support materials.

Scholarship Announced
Promoting Learning
RMF announced that a full scholarship would be awarded to a deserving candidate studying in the Bachelor of Midwifery Sciences (BMS) program. The students were awed and excited to hear this news. RMF is currently in the process of selecting a candidate to receive the scholarship. The NAMS administration is finalizing the deserving candidate. The scholarship will be provided each year to one candidate.

Background
& Objectives
Background
In 2006, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) introduced the National Policy of Skilled Birth Attendants with an aim to bring about sustainable development and reduce the mother and child mortality rates. In 2009, MOHP finalized its selection of 4 universities to pioneer midwifery education as a professionally accredited degree in Nepal. These universities are:
- B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS),
- Kathmandu University (KU),
- National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), and
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS).
It was agreed that the universities would establish professional midwifery education as a separate faculty within the university and offer a bachelor’s degree in midwifery as a professionally accredited course. The curriculum would be proposed by each university to the Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) for review and finalization. The NNC would offer accreditation to the proposed curriculum only if it was confirmed to be consistent with ICM/WHO international standards.
Objectives
1. Address gaps in human resources, including faculty development
2. Provide scholarships for students from underserved communities
3. Support infrastructure development: i.e. classrooms, hostel facility
4. Acquire Skills Lab/Equipment (dummy/ anatomical models)

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