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Supporting nursing and midwifery in Somaliland THET’s BSc Midwifery degree programme in Somaliland saw the successful graduation of twenty-one students in October of 2012. These newly trained midwives are a vital addition to the health workforce in Somaliland. A country that has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world, estimated to be between 1044 and 1400 per 100,000 live births. The infant mortality rate is also high, with an average of 73 of every 1000 infants dying. The course was the first of its kind in Somaliland and was delivered with support from the Somaliland Ministry of Health. The course ran for eighteen
months and was accredited by the University of Hargeisa and based within the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital (EAH). Students were taught in clinical practice, research and English language skills. The vision for the future of the BSc. Midwifery programme is to provide midwives with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes so that they can become the teachers, leaders and change agents of the future. It will prepare them to supervise other midwives and support staff, to support the development of evidence-based and women-friendly practice and the on-going professional
“I became a midwife because I wanted to care for mothers and babies in Somaliland – the care here is not good. This course has given me the knowledge and skills in Leadership & Management, Research as well as further Midwifery Best Practices which I intend to put to best use to contribute towards Maternal and Child Health in my country.” Hodan Mahamoud Osman, one of the practising midwives in Hargeisa Group Hospital who graduated in the BSc Midwifery programme taught at the Edna Adan University Hospital, Hargeisa.