On 27th May, 2022, National Midwifery Training Institute (NMTI) was inaugrated at Kasturba Health Society’s Kasturba Nursing College, Sevagram. This training institute is the first institute started in India, supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The training institute is technically supported by other development partners, Jhpiego, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation. Trainees will receive class room teaching and training in the skill laboratory at Kasturba Nursing College, and Clinical training in the Maternal and Child Health Department, Kasturba Hospital, MGIMS, Sevagram.
Dr S Sikdar (Advisor, Maternal Health Division, MOHFW, GOI), Dr Archana Patil (Director of Health Services, Govt of Maharashtra), Dr Padmini Kashyap (Deputy Commissioner, Maternal Health, GOI), Shri PL Tapadia (Vice President, Kasturba Health Society), Dr BS Garg (Secretary, Kasturba Health Society), Dr N Gangane (Dean, MGIMS), Dr. CM. Badole, In-charge, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Dr Poonam Shivkumar (Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MGIMS), Dr. Manish Jain (Head of Paediatrics), representatives from Jhpiego, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, White Ribbon Alliance, International and National Midwifery Educators, Mrs Ancy Ramesh (Principal Kasturba Nursing College), and faculty were present during the inaugural function of National Midwifery Training Institute.
In accordance with the Midwifery services guidelines in 2018 , the Government of India has identified Kasturba Health Society’s Kasturba Nursing College as one of the National Midwifery Nursing Institute (NMTI) to roll out midwifery services in the country. “Maternal healthcare has always been our priority. Our institute is piloting the midwifery initiative for the Government of India and Jhpiego and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are the developmental partners under this initiative. The Government of India has proposed an alternative model of service provision for strengthening the reproductive, maternal and newborn services by nurse practitioners in midwifery through Midwifery-led care units (MLCUs). Soon the Midwifery-led unit and the Obstetricians-led unit shall work in harmony to provide holistic women-centric care for women and newborns”, said Dr BS Garg in his welcome address.
“MGIMS has shown an exemplary commitment in improving the maternal and child health in India. This institute is uniquely positioned to establish professional midwifery through imparting high-quality education to this new cadre. There could not be a better place than MGIMS to unroll the midwifery initiative in the country”, informed Dr S Sikdar (Advisor, Maternal Health Division, MOHFW, GOI). “With the strengthening of the midwifery care in India, we aim to reduce the maternal mortality and provide quality, compassionate and respectful maternity care to the women of the country”, Dr Sikdar added. “India has seen a decline in maternal mortality and Infant mortality ratio”, informed Dr Padmini Kashyap (Deputy Commissioner, Maternal Health, GOI).
“The government has hired and on boarded International Midwifery Educators (IMEs) from various countries, to train and educate midwives in India to global standards as laid out by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). The IMEs will work closely with a national faculty of midwife educators to teach and train state midwifery educators through an intense 6-month rigorous residential training program. Beyond this period, they will closely mentor and support the newly trained cadre as they train future midwives—nurse practitioners in midwifery (NPM) for a 1-year period. The training with the support of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department of MGIMS shall train 30 nurse practitioners in midwifery starting 1st June 2022”, informed Dr Poonam Shivkumar (Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MGIMS).
“Kasturba Nursing College and the clinical site at MGIMS are an excellent choice for the National Midwifery Nursing Institute. The state- of the – art Maternal and child health wing, LaQshya certified labor room, our dedicated faculty and nurses provide an excellent environment for Midwifery training. Building a strong midwifery cadre shall reduce over-medicalization and strengthen healthcare resources,” said Shri PL Tapadiya (Vice President, Kasturba Health Society) in his Presidential address.
“Maharashtra witnesses around 1200 maternal deaths every year and 80% of the deaths occur during the time of birth. 87% of the deliveries can be assisted by the Midwifery-led care. With good quality of training of midwives, we aim to reduce maternal deaths, pre-term births, Caesar sections and provide a more compassionate birthing journey for women and their babies”, informed Dr Archana Patil (Additional Director of Health Services, Govt of Maharashtra).
Mr Somesh (Country Director Jhpiego), Dr Medha Gandhi (Representative, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and Ms Catherine (International Midwifery Educator) also shared their views on this occasion.
Mrs Ancy Ramesh (Principal, Kasturba Nursing College) proposed the vote of thanks. The program ended with the National Anthem.