In Chişinau, Moldova, Doctors with Africa CUAMM UK organized a 5-days training to strengthen capacities in neonatal emergencies and stabilization hence create a task force of skilled instructors. The training acitivity implemented by CUAMM UK is part of R.I.S.E. project, led by Doctors with Africa CUAMM and funded by The Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development (AICS).
A group of 7 participants, 5 from IMAC Hospital and 2 from the Ministry of Health (MoH), entirely composed by women, took part in the Training of Trainers (ToT) activity held in the capital of Moldova by Daniele Trevisanuto – Neonatologist and CUAMM doctor. The training developed in collaboration with the Moldavan Paediatric Association, aims to empower capabilities among a group of skilled instructors, thereby establishing a task force focused on neonatal emergencies and stabilization. This robust task force will then be equipped to educate others and disseminate the acquired knowledge for a sustainable impact. After completing the training, the 7 participants have received a certificate of 20 credits accredited by the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Once the course is completed, the task force will lead further training activities with the ultimate goal of fostering capabilities on emergency neonatal resuscitation and stabilization among local medical staff across the country. The second phase of the training will be held in the following months, will address 84 health workers from 7 second-level hospitals located in 7 different regions from north to south. This approach avoids the transfer of qualified personnel and ensures service coverage. Finally, a final workshop is planned with participants from the training courses, international experts, and key stakeholders for monitoring and evaluating the acquired skills and discussing future perspectives.
Maternal-infant mortality rate has significantly decreased in Moldova over the past 10 years, dropping from 26 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 14.2 per 1,000 live births in 2022. However, this rate still remains above the WHO index for European regions. In Moldova, there are 32 hospitals handling a total of 27,000 births annually. However, many of these facilities have a low number of deliveries per year, below 500, which exposes healthcare personnel to limited opportunity of fostering capabilities on neonatal care. Additionally, hospital data reports a high rate of post-birth transfers from peripheral facilities, which lack neonatal intensive care units, to third-level facilities, only present in the capital. Quality and timely newborns care after the delivery is hence highly needed in order to stabilize the newborn. For this reason, training activities on neonatal stabilization are key in peripheral facilities in order to avoid leaving these services uncovered.
Since the conflict broke out on 24th February, 2022, approximately over one million refugees crossed the border seeking refuge in Moldova, one of Europe’s most fragile countries. To prevent the collapse of the national healthcare system and address the healthcare needs of both the refugee and local populations, targeted interventions have been deemed necessary. CUAMM’s commitment in the country started in April 2022 in the capital Chişinau. Since then and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the WHO, the intervention has been guided by the twofold objective of providing basic medical assistance within RACs and offering specific training for local medical personnel on neonatal emergency. To date, CUAMM is still committed to the such activities thanks to the support offered by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The commitment also extends to Ukraine, focusing on the delivery of medicines, medical equipment, and consumables to healthcare facilities; distribution of food items, essential goods, and equipment to combat the cold; as well as providing psychological support to the most vulnerable.
