The UK Government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Health and midwifery stakeholders, has launched the Midwifery Capacity Advancement for Equitable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (MARCH) project in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The project aims to empower midwives as key agents in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in Indonesia. Investing in midwives’ competence is critical to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes as well as advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH & RR).
The MARCH project launch coincides with the Faculty Development Programme Training, which brings together 48 midwifery lecturers from selected midwifery education institutions, including health polytechnics, universities, and private schools. This training equips midwifery lecturers with the skills to deliver the international standard competency curriculum, fostering a cadre of competent and skilled healthcare professionals capable of delivering high-quality and evidence-based care.
The Ministry of Health and UNFPA will upscale this training to all 37 health polytechnics with a midwifery study programme under the Ministry of Health.
To further strengthen the regulatory framework, the MARCH project will also support the development of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework and training programmes for in-service midwives.
Hassan Mohtashami, the UNFPA Indonesia Representative, said, "The MARCH project is funded by the UK government to address midwifery continuous professional development and regulation. Hopefully, soon we will end preventable maternal deaths.”
