Docs seek training to reduce infant, maternal mortality

DOZENS OF physicians and medical practitioners from Mandeville and the Mandeville Regional Hospital on Wednesday gathered for a sensitisation session on the requisite skills needed to reduce maternal and child mortality at the facility.

The Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality is an initiative of the Ministry of Health, through the European Union and the University of the West Indies, where clinical fellowships for governmentemployed specialist physician are granted to a select grouping across the island.

Michael Bent from the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) said: “We’re happy to be participants in this programme to have persons trained ... we ask persons to capitalise on this opportunity as we want to ensure that SRHA continues to offer the highest level of health care.”

According to programme coordinator Dr Simone Spence, the programme has seen a number of physicians taking up fellowship opportunities. However, awareness still has to be created for the slots available.

One physician from the Mandeville Regional Hospital has already completed the two-year programme in neonatology, while another is set to complete the fetal maternal speciality fellowship in January 2017.

According to senior medical officer at the hospital, Everton McIntosh, there were approximately 30 perinatal deaths for the last quarter, and two year-to-date maternal deaths, figures he is hoping will be reduced by 50 per cent, with the requisite training received by physicians.