MCHTC Day 1: Maternal and Child Health Training Conference: Opening Day
Banner by Matthew Gartmann
Registration
The Maternal and Child Health Training Conference is finally here! The days leading up to this event have been long and tiresome, but Tenki stands ready to deliver high quality instruction to the approximately 94 midwives and learners in attendance.
Assembly
Everyone gathered in the auditorium at the Njala University Paramedical Campus here in Bo for the Opening Ceremony.
Introductions
After the participants finished registering they filled the auditorium. Representatives from Bo District, the National Dept. of Health and Sanitation, and Njala University gave opening speeches followed by Tenki (photo adjacent) and the other conference partners and sponsors.
Conference Hosts, Honored Guests, and Presenters
Conference Partners
Conference Overview
Tenki has a unique challenge ahead of them during the following week of the MCHTC. This trip we welcome brand new students, called Champions, to start learning the Helping Mothers Survive and Helping Babies Breath Curriculum. Additionally, we welcome back students who have already completed their initial training as Champions and are now called Rising Trainers.
If the aspiring trainers succeed then they will be certified to return to their clinics and conduct training for their peers using the curriculum and materials covered during this conference. Supervising the progress of the Rising Trainers are the National Master Trainers, who teach and sustain the program throughout the year.
Training Begins
Mariama and the Champions
Mariama started the conference by teaching the brand new Champions how to perform a normal delivery and manage complications such as post-partum hemorrhage and retained placenta.
Hands-On Demonstrations
After the lecture, Mariama demonstrated the practical exercise for the students using the Birthing Simulator. Now it’s the Champions turn to try their hands at the skills they’ve learned.
Now It’s Their Turn!
The Champions spent several hours working through different scenarios for the rest of the day. They learned how to care for the mother after the baby has been delivered, how to safely deliver the placenta, and how to recognize signs of post-partum emergencies.
Maria and Amanda with the Rising Trainers
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Njala University campus, Maria and Amanda gathered the Rising Trainers who were working on becoming certified instructors.
Train the Trainers
Maria first had to fill the Rising Trainers in on what had changed since they last took the course. Following that, she and Amanda set out empowering the Rising Trainers to conduct and facilitate the practical exercises.
Take the Lead
After a refresher of the lecture and practical skills, it was our turn to take a step back and evaluate how well the Rising Trainers could use each other and the course materials to run a successful training session.
Debriefing
To wrap up, the Tenki team sat down together along with our partners and discussed the lessons we learned from the first day of the training conference.