The Puntland State of Somalia, through the Ministry of Health, is working on improving midwifery services in the region. Between 8 and 9 August, the Puntland Association of Midwives (PAM) convened its biannual conference to discuss on how to take midwifery to greater heights.

The conference, hosted by the Puntland Ministry of Health, attracted over 60 participants, who included members of the association comprising midwives from all parts of Puntland, midwifery students, health professionals, officials from the Ministry of Health, UNFPA Puntland team, representatives of Comitato Collaborazione Medica (CCM Italy) and representatives from the local community.The Goodwill Ambassador for the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) in Puntland, Honourable Anisa Abdulkadir Haji Mumin, who is also the Minister of Women Development and Family Affairs of the Puntland State of Somalia also attended the conference.

Honourable Haji Mumin provided a report detailing the health and health-care needs of women and children in the remote and under-served communities in Puntland regions of Mudug, Sool, Nugal and the district of Cayn that she had visited prior to the conference.

She said her visit confirmed the grim evidence of the high toll of maternal, newborn and child death in Puntland, and the central role that midwives can and should play to tackle this problem.
"It is unbearably shameful and painful to sit and watch our women and babies die in the numbers and ways that they do while there is a great deal that we can do about it. Let us not waste a minute longer. Let us rise to the challenge of saving the lives of women and children in Puntland," said Honourable Haji Mumin.

The Puntland Minister of Health, Honourable Dr. Abdinasir Osman Isse, acknowledged the association's remarkable progress in advancing its capacity, visibility and leadership. 
The Minister emphasised the importance and urgency of redoubling concerted efforts to implement the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) including supporting and working with the CARMMA Goodwill Ambassador in the delivery of her role.

Dr. Isse pointed out that a strong and effective midwifery association would lead to improved skills of midwives in Puntland which, in turn, would translate into improved quality services towards the reduction of maternal and child mortality. 
"Midwives are the most well-placed of all health professionals to tackle the problem of maternal and child death and disease. They are the ones who are trusted by and are accessible to women. They are the ones who welcome every newborn to the world," said Dr. Isse.

During the conference, the acting chairperson of PAM, Hawo Yusuf, gave an overview on the association, its achievements and challenges since July, 2013 when it was established. She envisaged a bright future for the midwifery profession and urged more midwives to become members. 

The PAM conference was a success as noted from the renewed momentum and lively discussions by members who agreed to work on improved antenatal care including birth spacing, more emphasis on training midwives and increased access to skilled midwives and increased numbers of deliveries in health facilities.
Ms. Yusuf commended UNFPA for supporting midwifery in Puntland including providing technical and financial support to the conference."PAM would not have achieved what it has actually achieved without the support of the UNFPA. The contribution from the Garowe team has been brilliant," she said.

by Dr. Jarma Warsame & Kamal Dahir.

For more information please contact: UNFPA Somalia Communications Specialist, Pilirani Semu-Banda. e-mail: semu-banda@unfpa.org