MIDWIZE conference brings together stakeholders in the field of maternal and child health

In early May, the MIDWIZE conference was held in Kampala, bringing together stakeholders in the field of maternal and child health. MIDWIZE is a framework to guide quality improvements in midwife led care. The conference provided a forum to share the latest advancements in improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care in Uganda. 

Practical examples were shared by Quality Improvement (QI) leads and clinicians from China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru and Mukono hospitals. Preliminary results from the midwife-led QI initiatives showcased significant positive changes. These included increased empowerment for women in making informed birthing choices, greater utilization of dynamic birth positions, improved emotional support and skin-to-skin care, enhanced satisfaction with care among women, and improved medical outcomes for perineal tears and newborn asphyxia.

Dr. Richard Mugahi, Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Health, delivered a keynote address. Discussions on the future of midwife-led quality improvement in Uganda were led by Dr. Michael Wells, researcher at  Karolinska Institutet and Hadijah Nakatudde, Secretary at the National Midwives Association of Uganda.

The conference saw participation from the Swedish Embassy, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, National Midwives Association of Uganda, NGOs focusing on maternal and child health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), UNFPA, the Uganda Nurses and Midwife Council, as well as researchers, clinical midwives, doctors, and managers.