More than 200 midwives from health facilities throughout Papua New Guinea gathered in Port Moresby to participate in the 5th Midwifery Symposium, organized by the Papua New Guinea Midwifery Society. 

Held from November 18 to 22, the bi-annual event brought together midwives to discuss and advance practices in reproductive and sexual health care under the theme  "Respectful Reproductive and Sexual Health Care”.

Held once every 2 years, the Midwifery Symposium serves as a crucial platform for midwives across Papua New Guinea to share knowledge, discuss clinical cases, and present facility audits. During the symposium, participants highlighted common challenges faced in their health facilities and how they collaborate to identify actionable solutions.

A key feature of the symposium was the collective effort to bring issues directly to the National Department of Health, aiming to address both immediate and long-term solutions to improve maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes nationwide.

In her opening remarks, President of the Midwifery Society Sr. Mary Sitaing, commended midwives for always giving their best efforts to mothers and babies regardless of their challenges. 

“You always give your best as a midwife despite the lack of equipment, medicines, beds and other necessities but you always make sure that at the end of the day, mothers and babies are safe and healthy. ‘

“This 5th Midwifery Symposium is for you to address the health outcome for women and babies.”

Sr. Mary Sitaing made a call to action to the Government and leaders to invest in midwives and to create midwifery positions in the Provincial Health Authorities. 

“I would like to use this platform to lobby for more midwives to be trained and there has to be a position in the National Department of Health for midwives so that our voices are amplified and heard.”

United Nations Population Fund technical specialist for Family Planning, Reproductive Health and Maternal Health, Ms. Safiatu Foday in her address challenged midwives to take stock of the Reproductive and Sexual Healthcare given to women, mothers, girls and families who need them.

“The theme for this Midwifery Symposium involves the respect for a women’s basic human right which includes respect for a mother’s autonomy, dignity, feelings and companionship during maternity care,” Ms. Foday said.

“This year’s theme condemns mistreatment in pregnancy and childbirth and emphasizes the fundamental obligation of the health system to provide support and healing in childbirth because if you do not, it can cause lasting emotional trauma.”

“Generally, access to healthcare from a skilled and competent health professional can make the difference between a pregnant woman’s life and death.”

Ms. Foday concluded by reaffirming UNFPA’s commitment to Papua New Guinea midwives with its support to midwifery education, regulation and association.

“UNFPA has been supporting 12 midwifery students at the University of Goroka school of midwifery, they will graduate at the end of the year, and we will work with the midwifery regulatory body to establish performance frameworks for the workforce.

“With this, UNFPA thanked the midwives across the country for their invaluable contribution to the aspiration towards a world where every pregnancy is wanted, and every childbirth is safe.”