Montevideo, 12 June 2023. In order to reflect on obstetric and neonatal care, and promote the adoption of new practices based on respectful maternal and neonatal care, it was held the virtual seminar: "Women's Health Agenda: Humanisation for respectful and violence-free obstetric and neonatal care, with a rights-based approach and gender perspective".
The event, which took place on 31 May, was coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of a strategy promoted by the country to improve care and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Suzanne Serruya, director of the Latin American Centre for Perinatology - Women's and Reproductive Health (CLP/WR), began her presentation by reflecting on how something so natural could have been dehumanised. "Childbirth is one of the most important memories that both women who have given birth and those who have had the good fortune to accompany them during childbirth have. The experience of that moment is something that is remembered, shared, it is a transcendental experience in people's lives".
Based on this reflection, the director of CLP/WR made a journey through history and referred to what happened in the 17th century, when the birth of royalty began to be public, because it was understood that there had to be witnesses and people of prestige to guarantee what happened during the birth process and the rights of the heirs. "The woman was no longer important. It was not about her comfort and what was best for her, because the focus was put on others and the comfort of others. There is an important gender factor in this process" ... "There are political, economic and even warlike reasons that have changed the way we are born forever".
Serruya said that one of the most important variables in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality is to have certified professionals. In addition, he said it is important "not only to have the skills, but also to be motivated and to know how to exercise patience and accompaniment".
She also pointed out that respect for cultural and ethnic diversity is fundamental. In this sense, he mentioned that there are several positive experiences on how to reconcile what is known as Western medicine with traditional practices from different regions.
CLP/WR is carrying out various actions ranging from training through workshops with midwives and community volunteers, promotion of kangaroo care, development of guidelines and a course on respectful maternal and neonatal care. Serruya emphasised the relevance of this course and invited everyone to attend and disseminate it. The course consists of 3 modules covering: Conceptual aspects and overview of respectful maternal and neonatal care; How to implement quality improvement actions and promotion of respectful maternal and neonatal care; How to monitor the quality of care experience.
On the other hand, the director of CLP/WR highlighted the guide "Technical guidelines for obstetric and neonatal care incorporating a gender perspective and a focus on the rights of children, adolescents and women", developed by the Dominican Republic, and stated that it is in line with everything promoted by the centre. In this regard, she mentioned the importance of following up to see the degree of implementation of the guidelines in the territory.
Before concluding her presentation, Serruya again stressed the need to think of childbirth as a positive experience, for which three components are necessary: competent and motivated staff; adequate physical resources; and high quality care.
The seminar was also attended by Elizabeth Navarro Marín and Elba Padrón Vera, both representatives of UNFPA in Cuba, who gave a presentation on good practices in maternal and neonatal care in that country; and the coordinator of the Department of Gender Equality of the Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic, Indiana Barinas, who presented the Dominican experience.
Bernardino Vitoy, PAHO representative in the Dominican Republic, highlighted the relevance of these instances to advance the rights agenda and achieve the goals of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality that the country has set for itself.
