BRIEF REPORT ON THE 2ND ICM AFRICAN MIDWIVES CONFERENCE AND IDM SPEKE RESORT MUNYONYO-KAMPALA-UGANDA 4-7 MAY, 2010 HOSTED BY THE UGANDAN PRIVATE MIDWIVES ASSOCIATION (UPMO) SPONSORS: ICM, UNFPA-UGANDA, IPAS, VENTURES STRATEGIES INTERNATIONAL(VSI), UPMO, UGANDA-MOH

The 2ND conference for African midwives was held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala-Uganda from Tuesday, 4th to Friday, 7th May, 2010. The conference theme was “African Midwives United Towards Contribution to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals”. Abigail (Internal Midwife Advisor-ICM (IMA) and I (Regional Midwife Advisor (RMA-Anglophone) participated in the above Conference and IDM celebration. Also in attendance were 3 CMAs from Ghana, Zambia and Uganda as well as six ICM sponsored delegates from the 6 Anglophone countries. The conference was attended by over 280 midwife delegates from 11 African Countries and USA. In the meeting delegates presented papers on scientific research studies and programmes involving midwives in the areas of: 1. Strengthening midwifery services 2. Midwifery research 3. Promoting the health of mothers, newborns and families 4. HIV/AIDS The presentations were very informative and served to create the much needed opportunities for African midwives to share experiences and to build networks. ICM sponsored a panel session on the first day of the Conference with the sub-theme " Preparing African Midwives for the 2015 challenge: Opportunities and threats " Papers for this session were presented by reps from the Uganda MOH, Nursing and Midwifery Council, the International Midwife Advisor, Regional Midwife Advisor and Uganda Country Midwife Advisor. The ICM Africa Region Board of Director (Deliwe Nyathikazi) was invited to present one of the papers but unfortunately she could not make it. The papers offered the opportunity for delegates of the conference to learn more about the ICM/UNFPA programme and also the need to work together as a strong force to address the challenges of the MDGs and also the midwifery profession.

At the end of the 4 day meeting, delegates were of the view that African midwives must be duly represented at the forth coming 2011 ICM Triennial Congress since this was the first time it was happening on the African Continent. They showed immense willingness to participate but pleaded for a reduction in the registration fees for African delegates and delegates from South Africa in order to make it more affordable and promote high participation from Africa. Delegates also issued a communiqué (to be shared with you through CMAs when officially circulated by UPMO) for advocating for the midwives role in maternal and newborn health in Africa and for the promotion of the midwifery profession towards harmonization of training and services.

At the closing ceremony of the Conference, about 50 Ugandan midwives were awarded Certificates of Good Service and a blood pressure apparatus each through sponsorship by the ICM/ UNFPA Uganda Programme. On IDM, this was celebrated together with the launch of CARMMA on the 5th of May, 2010 at the main Sports Stadium (Mandela Sports Stadium-Kampala). In attendance were over 5000 people comprising AU delegates, Members of Parliament-Uganda (MPs, midwives, senior officials of the MOH, The UNFPA Rep for Uganda, ICM IMA, RMA and CMAs as well as all the Midwives Conference delegates. The First Lady of Uganda, Mrs Janet Museveni was the Guest of Honour.

Speeches were given by the dignitaries amidst football march between MPs and retired footballers of Uganda. The occasion was interspersed with music provided by local musicians and youth dance groups. ICM/UNFPA speeches were given by Mrs Abigail Kyei and Ms Janet Jackson.
Below are a few pictures on the events: NOTE: Pictures of IDM could not be taken for security reasons due to presence of First Lady. Efforts will be made to get some from official pressmen. More...