International Day for Midwives-Exhibition focuses on "Safe Motherhood" |07 May 2005

Organised by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS) within the Ministry of Education and Youth, the one-day exhibition was aimed at increasing the visibility of midwifery contributions to the health care service.

Among the small crowd gathered to view the exhibition in the Maternity Unit at the Victoria Hospital at Mont Fleuri, were the director of hospital nursing, Dolores Pool, midwifery tutor at the NIHSS, Janet  Anacoura, midwifery students and other officials from the MoH.

When addressing those present Miss Pool noted that the day is served to recognise
"the crucial role of our Seychellois midwives towards improving the health of our Seychellois women and infants."

Miss Pool said that in Seychelles seven maternal deaths were recorded due to obstetric causes  between 1993 and December 2004 and that the infant mortality rate here is recorded today as the lowest in African countries at 11.8.

She added that there is a "noticeable progress to reduce maternal and newborn mortality ratios which have been made possible through professional antenatal care and deliveries that are being provided by our midwives."

She concluded by thanking the midwives present for their continued devotion and compassion in what she described as a "noble  profession" and also took the opportunity to wish the midwifery students all the best.

Those present were able to view posters and read leaflets and books on the roles of midwives, the different services available to assist pregnant women such as antenatal clinic. Midwifery students also briefed those interested on other issues  relating to childbirth.
It is to note that in Seychelles there are about 40 midwives.