The initiative is coordinated among the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MPH & SW), The Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women's and Reproductive Health (CLAP-PAHO/WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representation in Paraguay.
Asunción, September 16, 2021 (PAHO/WHO)- With the objective of contributing to universal access and coverage of sexual and reproductive health services and strengthening the competencies of health professionals through quality of care, the Family Planning courses for the First Level of Care and Immediate post-obstetric event Contraception (AIPEO) were launched on September 15.
The courses, which are already available, offer health personnel an innovative and updated content that will improve their skills and competencies for safe and affordable care to the population, guaranteeing people’s rights.
The launching event was moderated by the Implementation Coordinator, Dr. Ana Brítez, and was attended by authorities of the MoH and SW, Director of Health Region Coordination, Dr. Pedro Pérez; General Director of Health Programs, Dr. Patricia Veiluva; Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Dr. Cesáreo Saldivar; and Dr. Haydeé Padilla PAHO/WHO Interim Representative in Paraguay. On behalf of CLAP, Dr. Suzanne Serruya, Center Director / Unit Chief and Dr. Rodolfo Gómez, Regional Advisor on Sexual and Reproductive Health attended the meeting.
"Family Planning is one of the current guidelines in all national maternal health regulations and favors the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality, unwanted pregnancies and serious complications" indicated Dr. Haydee Padilla, during the opening, adding that, "we invite all professionals to join this pleasant experience of taking the courses to improve the quality-of-service delivery around Family Planning". Dr. Serruya, Clap’s Director, expressed her satisfaction with the learning process "we want these courses to reach all health personnel in Paraguay dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, and above all, to benefit women and mothers".
Competencies and skills for healthcare professionals
On the one hand, the Family Planning seminar is aimed at health professionals at the first level of care, is available in virtual format and its content integrates the concepts of contraceptive methods. The initiative strengthens universal access to modern and effective contraceptive methods, which guarantees that women, men and adolescents can avoid the adverse consequences of unintended pregnancies. In this sense, family planning service providers form the basis of the health systems' response to these challenges, especially at critical times such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, the Immediate post-obstetric event Contraception course - AIPEO is aimed at physicians and obstetricians in health services that assist pregnant women at the time of delivery and women in abortion situation. In this case, different methodologies are used, including simulation and supervised clinical practice with the acquisition of competencies in a mentored model.
Within the framework of the Covid 19 pandemic, these courses offer innovative methodologies and will allow health professionals from anywhere in the country to access classes virtually and apply what they have learned in the different multicultural environments in which they operate.
In this sense, following a work schedule already established, the health professionals from the XVIII Capital, XI Central and II San Pedro Health Regions have developed and concluded the virtual courses and at this stage the mentored practice sessions with simulators are scheduled, accompanied by personnel previously trained by CLAP. These practices will be carried out on September 17 and 20, in workshop mode.
