26th November, 2011 Peshawar, KPK – November 26, 2011 – The consequences of the cataclysmic floods of 2010 were not only manifested by the loss of human life but also left people without a safe haven and jobs to support their needs. This damage by the natural disaster called for various capacity building projects to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims. Prime Foundation, in lieu of this need, proposed a refresher course for the capacity building of the Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and Community Midwives hailing from the flood affected areas of Charsadda and Nowshera. These courses are being offered by PRIME Foundation with sponsorship from International Development & Relief Foundation (IDRF), Canada.
The 6th batch of the refresher course formally commenced today, at Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. The orientation session was preceded by the welcome address of the Director Project Support Unit, Prime Foundation, Dr. Saeed Anwar. During his address to the new batch of the course, Dr. Saeed Anwar wished them good luck and hoped that this course will be beneficial to the participants and will help in alleviating the hardships of the participants brought on by the flood. Dr. Saeed also outlined the humanitarian and development initiatives of Prime Foundation. The trainees were also addressed by Dr. Tehniyat, Associate Professor, Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Kuwait Teaching Hospital. She shared with the audience that the curriculum developed for the course will ensure that the trainees get a comprehensive training that will significantly add on their pre service training and prepare them for their future practice. The Chief Guest of the inaugural Dr. Farhat Rehana Malik, Reproductive Health Coordinator UNFPA, in her address lauded the efforts of PSU Prime in educating the midwives of the flood affected region and hoped that this course will tangibly contribute towards improving safe motherhood in the flood affected districts of Charsadda and Nowshera. Dr. Farhat also promised that UNFPA will provide support to PSU Prime in this endeavor and also expressed interest in recruiting the talented trainees from the project.
The Refresher course will train 8 batches of 16 midwives each, in one year, 5 of which have already been completed. The course is being carried out in Obstetrics & Gynecology Department of Kuwait Teaching Hospital, through coordination of the Department of Community Health Sciences of Peshawar Medical College. Aim of the course is to improve the birth assistance capacity of the midwives for quality care provision to flood affected mothers and newborns.
Dr Faisal Ali Shah, Project Officer PSU Prime Foundation in concluding remarks thanked the Chief Guest and audience for participation in the event and making it a success. The outgoing batch was also given certificates and clean delivery kits on the occasion.
