On May 2nd, 2023, the International Day of Midwifery was celebrated at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram. The program was hosted by Kasturba Nursing College's National Midwifery Training Institute and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MGIMS. Dr BS Garg (Secretary Kasturba Health Society), Dr Poonam Varma Shivkumar (Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital and Midwife Project Coordinator), Dr. V. Bangal, (Head of Obstetrics & Gynecologyof Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni), Dr. Sucheta Kinjewadekar (Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology, Navi Mumbai), Mrs Ancy Ramesh (Principal, Kasturba Nursing College), Mrs Neeta Shetye (Matron and Principal, Kasturba Nursing School), Ms Catherine Reeve-Jones (International Midwifery Educator), Dr Chanbasu (representative, Jhpiego), medical professionals, national midwife educators, and students were present during the function.
Dr. Poonam Varma welcomed attendees and shared that the National Midwifery Training Institute at Sevagram is India's first nodal center for training midwives in antenatal care, labor, delivery, and postnatal care. “ This training is supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and technically supported by development partners like Jhpiego, and Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation”, informed Dr Poonam Varma. She also noted that midwifery intervention has led to calmer labor rooms and more respectful delivery assistance.
Ms. Catherine Reeve-Jones, an International Midwifery Educator, introduced the theme of the program as "Together Again: From Evidence to Reality" and emphasized the importance of respectable labor room care. Dr. Sucheta Kinjewadkar explained that training midwives can help doctors better focus on more challenging issues and improve maternity care. Dr. V. Bangal highlighted the need for midwifery in managing no to low-risk pregnancies. “Midwifery is the need of the hour. Well-trained midwives can play a very important role in bringing a good birthing experience”, said Dr Bangal.
Dr. BS Garg, Secretary of Kasturba Health Society, emphasized that medical colleges alone can bring down maternal mortality by only 20%; and that peripheral healthcare centers and PHCs must contribute as well. He also stressed that midwifery should be a comprehensive approach from pregnancy registration to postnatal care, which would lead to more normal deliveries and fewer C-sections.
Various scientific, interactive, and technical sessions were held throughout the day. Emphasis was laid upon interpersonal collaborations and the dissemination of midwifery training throughout the nation.
Dr Shila Shelke ( Associate Professor OBGY MGIMS) proposed the vote of thanks and the program ended with the national anthem.