Eritrea

This presentation was part of the International Conference on Global Health session, “Integration and Application: Successes and Challenges in Health-Worker Training.” Based on the initial high MMR estimates and the low number of facility deliveries, the Ministry of Health adopted an aggressive Safe Motherhood Strategy to reduce maternal mortality as well as neonatal and child morbidity and mortality. This presentation describes this training program for nurse-midwives and details the results of a study to evaluate the program. [adapted from author]

The purpose of this strategy is to guide the planning, management and development of human resources for health in Eritrea for the period 2006 - 2014. Whilst much progress has been made with the staffing of the health services in the health sector, there is still more work to be done. There is a general shortage of health professionals, particularly amongst more highly skilled groups. Although geographic distribution is relatively good compared to many countries in Africa, there are still health stations and health centres that are under-staffed. There is a major shortage of midwives, exacerbating the high rate of maternal mortality. [from author]