Windhoek: The Namibia Obstetric Surveillance System (NamOSS) is conducting emergency obstetric and newborn care skills training at the Mariental District Hospital to strengthen healthcare workers' capacity to prevent and manage maternal and newborn complications.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the two-day training started on Tuesday and brings together healthcare workers for theoretical and practical sessions focusing on emergency maternal and newborn care. NamOSS member, gynaecology and maternal-foetal specialist Dr. Gaynor Balie, also head of the department at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital, stated that the training is part of NamOSS efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes through research, training, and improved clinical care.

Balie mentioned that the training is being conducted in three regions following concerns identified through national maternal health statistics. The first training was conducted in Nkurenkuru last week, with Mariental hosting the second session, while Gobabis is scheduled to host the final training next week.

'We are doing the basic training, which is the essential maternal obstetric and newborn critical care training, to try and prevent complications in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum, of both mother and baby,' Balie explained. She identified hypertensive disorders, bleeding, and infections related to miscarriages as the major causes of maternal deaths currently being observed. The training aims to help healthcare workers identify these complications early and manage them appropriately.

Balie also highlighted that 'if we manage hypertension earlier, babies can be delivered later and hopefully also have a better outcome.' The training programme includes sessions on respectful maternal care, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, prevention and emergency management of postpartum haemorrhage, obstetric antepartum haemorrhage, and practical emergency care skills.

Healthcare professionals are participating in rotating practical skills stations covering emergency management of postpartum haemorrhage, uterine massage and bimanual uterine compression, as well as assisted delivery. Balie emphasized NamOSS's commitment to women's health, maternity care, obstetrics, and neonatal health, with its work also focusing on research aimed at preventing maternal deaths, neonatal deaths, and stillbirths.