By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, June 24 (232News) – Human and system errors are recognized causes of significant morbidity and mortality across the globe.
To ensure patient safety, health care workers are required to have technical skills that encompass medical and procedural knowledge and nontechnical skills that are behavior-based and include task management, decision – making, and leadership the Clinical Simulation Laboratory at School of Midwifery Bo and the Eastern Polytechnic, Kenema Nursing School have been commissioned to address these concerns.
The commissioning which took place on Thursday 10th June at the Midwifery School Bo and the Eastern Polytechnic, Kenema Nursing School respectively were refurbished and equipped by ICAP at Columbia University with funding from the United States of America.
The newly refurbished clinical skills labs across the two midwifery schools will aid in providing simulation-based education.
In his opening remarks, Head of School of Midwifery Bo, Matron Patricia Mokowa described the day as an important mile stone in the school as it will increase student responsibility in clinical planning.
She said the lab is now a simulation-based learning center which other institutions are yearning to have while extending commitment to work with ICAP.
US Ambassador, David Reimer said Sierra Leone has long faced a crisis in maternal mortality for years as the country has the longest rate in maternal mortality in the world in 2015.
He said one out of every 17 mothers die in childbirth and maternal death represent 36% of all death for women age 15 to 49.
Ambassador Reimer appreciated the effort of the Sierra Leone government and the strong support from partners like the U.S.
“My government will support you in this fight. The resources we are commissioning will improve the confidence of midwifery graduating in this institution. The midwifery is our best hope in continuing the reduction in child mortality,” he noted.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby thanked partners for the great work they have done in reducing maternal mortality number in the country from 850 per 100,000 to 717 per 100,000 which he said is still too high.
“One of the main ingredients in solving this problem is to have competent, well trained articulate and empowered midwives,” he stated.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie said the day is for the midwives to have the confidence and the competent for the task ahead as the choice for being a midwife is unique.
He said it is now time for Sierra Leone to take a major step in medicine and partner with other institutions to develop the level of skills they required.
