“We went into the kangaroo care ward, it was like a ray of sunshine: skin-to-skin care is the most effective way of regulating a baby’s heart rate and temperature, as well as helping to initiate breastfeeding and bonding and they were promoting this form of care. With many premature babies being born this was essential to their survival, and it was happening….”
When a midwife or nurse qualifies and then gets employment, they are expected to work as a ‘volunteer’ for one year to pay back the government for their training. These midwives are only paid 50,000 Ugandan shillings a month (roughly £10).
“We were able to observe finely-tuned, fundamental, midwifery skills being practiced at their best – which, dare I say it, may on occasion be overlooked when technology is readily available. That being said, under-resourcing of essential supplies is a massive issue, which, whilst it may arguably lead to well-honed midwifery skills, is a huge challenge to overcome. Even the most skilled midwife has the odds stacked against them when the region has no O negative blood.”
“I was in my final year of midwifery training and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands to go to Uganda… The thing I loved the most was we weren’t there as a team to take over the role of the local midwives, we were there to work together, support them and learn from each other.”