Deputy Minister of Health, Adelaide Yaa Agyeiwaa Ntim has described the launch of Midwifery Education and Practice Centres of Excellence Programme (MEPCEP) as a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to improve maternal and newborn care.
Speaking at the event, she emphasized the critical role midwives play in ensuring the health and safety of both mothers and newborns, stating, "Empowering midwives empowers communities," and "Quality midwifery care is a human right."
Midwives, as the first point of contact for expectant mothers, are vital in providing essential care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
A recent global study covering 88 countries revealed that the universal adoption of midwife-led care could save 4.3 million lives annually by 2035, further underlining their indispensable role in advancing maternal and child health.
Madam Ntim highlighted the importance of midwifery in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), noting that comprehensive midwifery education and practice are key to providing quality care for mothers and newborns.
She shared insights from an exhaustive needs assessment conducted across all 16 regions of Ghana, which revealed disparities in resources, infrastructure, and midwifery training curricula, particularly in underserved areas.
The needs assessment led to the selection of two pilot institutions for the MEPCEP initiative: the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), paired with KNUST Medical Health Services, and the Nursing and Midwifery Training College - Korle Bu, partnered with Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
These two institutions will serve as pioneers for the program, with two more schools to be added each year until all 16 regions are covered.
The Centers of Excellence will focus on five key areas such as strengthening capacity thus, improving faculty expertise, infrastructure, and leadership in the pilot institutions, improving Clinical Practice: Enhancing clinical training for students to ensure hands-on, quality care.
It also looks at enhancing educational processes thus integrating the latest evidence-based practices and technology into midwifery education.
“The benefits of this approach are clear,” said Ms. Ntim. “It allows for efficient use of resources, faster delivery of results, optimized costs, and improved service quality, ensuring that we have the right expertise at the right time.”
Madam Ntim also addressed the midwifery educators and students, assuring them that MEPCEP would equip them with the skills and knowledge to excel in their profession.
Practicing midwives were encouraged to take advantage of the Centers of Excellence for continuous professional development.
She further called on partners in healthcare and academia to support the pilot institutions, noting, “Your expertise and feedback will be crucial in refining and expanding MEPCEP to other institutions across the country.”
Expressing gratitude to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for their significant role in supporting the initiative, she urged other development partners to contribute technical assistance and financial resources to ensure the program's success.
“MEPCEP is not just a program; it is a movement toward a future where no woman dies giving birth, and every child has the best possible start in life,”
Dr. Emily Naphambo, Deputy Country Representative for UNFPA Ghana, underscored the need for establishing Centers of Excellence in all 16 regions.
These centers are set to become hubs for training, research, leadership, and innovation in midwifery.
"Three years ago, a young woman in the Upper East Region tragically died from postpartum hemorrhage—a condition that could have been prevented if she had received the right care at the right time," Dr. Naphambo stated.
"Her death highlights the urgent need for excellence in maternal healthcare. These Centers of Excellence will provide midwives with the resources and knowledge they need to deliver exceptional care, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals."
These centers will offer a combination of practical, hands-on experience and theoretical instruction, ensuring midwives are prepared to address the country’s evolving healthcare challenges.
Dr. Naphambo emphasized that the program will implement a midwife-led model of care, which has proven globally to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
"Evidence consistently shows that midwife-led care can drastically enhance maternal and infant health," she noted.
Dr. Naphambo pointed to a study by the FDA indicating that midwives who are trained to international standards can provide up to 87% of essential care for women and newborns.
She highlighted that such models have been pivotal in reducing maternal and infant mortality in countries like Sweden, where robust midwifery systems exist.
The initiative, named the Midwifery Education and Practice Centres for Excellence Programme (MEPCEP), will draw from international best practices, incorporating globally recognized standards in governance, leadership, and professional conduct.
Dr. Naphambo explained that while MEPCEP will adopt proven midwifery models from other countries, it will also innovate to suit Ghana’s specific healthcare needs.
She also addressed the critical shortage of midwives in Ghana, stressing that the country currently has only one midwife for every 1,300 women of reproductive age, well below the World Health Organization's recommended ratio of one midwife per 175 women.
"MEPCEP aims to bridge this gap by producing a cadre of competent, well-supported, and well-resourced midwives who can meet the healthcare demands of all women and children across Ghana."
Dr. Naphambo called on both public and private sector stakeholders to collaborate in making this vision a reality.
"MEPCEP is not merely a program; it is a movement toward a future where no woman loses her life during childbirth, and every child has the best possible start in life.
Korle-Bu Nursing and Midwifery Training College (NMTC) is taking steps to enhance the quality of education and training in maternal health, according to the Principal, Mrs. Mercy Kporku.
Speaking at a recent event, she emphasized the need for continuous improvement in skills and knowledge to achieve key health goals such as the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) on maternal health and universal health coverage.
"We believe in excellence, and our primary focus is to promote the well-being of mothers, children, and the entire community," she said.
"It is crucial for us to improve our knowledge base, enhance our skills, and expand our collaboration with hospitals. This will ensure that what we are doing now will only get better."
Mrs. Kporku highlighted the importance of research, technology, and innovation in advancing the institution’s mission.
With a growing student population, the college is embracing virtual learning and ICT modules to improve the teaching and learning process.
She expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration between the United Nations Fund for Technical Assistance (UNFTA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), which she said would help boost infrastructure and raise educational standards.
"We cannot afford to complain about the number of students we have; instead, we must use technology to bridge gaps in learning. Through virtual platforms and ICT, we will improve our teaching," she added.
The principal underscored the role of excellence in every aspect of the training process, from classroom learning to practical skills application.
"Excellence is not a one-day event; it’s an everyday pursuit. How students manage their time, engage with learning materials, and interact with patients will determine their success."
Mrs. Kporku also emphasized the importance of treating patients with dignity and professionalism, stating, "From the classroom to the skills lab, and ultimately to the hospital wards, we expect our students to uphold the highest standards of care, treating every patient with respect and compassion."
She reaffirmed the college's commitment to providing the best possible education and training for future nurses and midwives, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.
"We are excited about the future and the opportunities this program brings. With the support from UNFTA and the MOE, we will continue to strive for excellence in maternal health training and beyond," Mrs. Kporku concluded.
Dr. Jemima Antwi, President and CEO of the Centre for Drug Development and Research, highlighted the program’s objective of enhancing professional training, clinical practice, and leadership within the health sector.
As a global public health practitioner and consultant to the Ministry of Health on this project, Dr. Antwi emphasized the need to build on Ghana’s existing healthcare infrastructure.
“The MEPCEP concept is a strategic initiative to drive the ministry's agenda forward. We’ve trained over 8,000 healthcare professionals, from diploma holders to PhD graduates. However, to truly advance our healthcare system, we need to go beyond our current achievements,” she stated.
The program will focus on establishing specialized training centers and clinical sites, including the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
These facilities will serve as one-stop centers where students can receive comprehensive training to enhance their professional and ethical capabilities.
“We are looking to develop a roadmap that strengthens leadership, faculty, and the overall curriculum in these centers. Our aim is to ensure that the training provided prepares students to competently deliver on their mandates and meet the highest standards of healthcare excellence,” Dr. Antwi added.
The first phase of the five-year project will focus on the initial two years, during which the selected institutions will be equipped with standardized training tools and equipment.
Dr. Antwi noted the importance of collaboration with stakeholders such as UNFPA, the Ghana Health Service, and other partners in the health sector to support the successful implementation of the program.
"This initiative is not just about improving healthcare training in Ghana; it is about setting a standard for Africa. By working together, we can ensure that healthcare professionals in Ghana are not only well-trained but are also leading the way in innovative, ethical, and high-quality healthcare delivery," she said.
Dr. Antwi underscored the hard work and commitment required from the government, institutions, and students to make MEPCEP a success.
“As our population thrives, so too must our healthcare professionals. This is a critical step towards ensuring that the people of Ghana benefit from world-class healthcare services.”
The MEPCEP initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, as well as the broader agenda of universal health coverage.
Professor Victoria Bam, Vice Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has emphasized the critical role of midwifery education in addressing Ghana’s high maternal mortality rate.
“We were the first institution in Ghana to introduce a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, which has enabled us to produce highly qualified midwives. Some of these graduates are now teaching and training others, contributing to the development of midwifery education across the country,” Professor Bam noted.
Despite these advances, Professor Bam stressed that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate, which hovers near 300 per 100,000 live births, remains unacceptably high.
“Every maternal death affects an entire family. Research shows that for every mother who dies from pregnancy or childbirth, 20 others experience complications. This underscores the urgent need for improved quality of care, and that’s where development partners like UNFPA are essential,” she said.
The MEPCEP initiative aims to strengthen relationships between educational institutions and clinical areas to foster better collaboration in healthcare delivery.
“It’s not just about the school being selected; it’s about working closely with clinical sites to achieve our objectives,” Professor Bam explained.
“This collaboration will enhance interactions with clinical facilities and ensure regular engagement to make informed decisions that benefit both students and patients.”
As part of the program, KNUST and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital have been identified as key pilot institutions. The initiative will focus on faculty development, infrastructure improvement, and hands-on clinical training to better equip midwifery students.
“We expect this program to support us in retooling our skills laboratories and eventually introducing simulation tools that will give students practical experience in a controlled environment,” she added.
With Ghana working towards achieving the global maternal mortality target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, Professor Bam underscored the importance of the MEPCEP initiative.
“With just six years to 2030, this program is vital in helping us reach this target. By improving midwifery education and clinical training, we can bring down the maternal mortality rate and save more lives.”
Professor Bam expressed hope that the Ministry of Health and development partners would continue to provide support, particularly in areas such as infrastructure development and faculty training.
“We are optimistic that with this support, we will be able to offer quality midwifery education that translates into quality maternal health care, ultimately reducing the country’s maternal mortality rate.”
She also stressed the importance of student commitment. “We are working on the mindset of our students, helping them understand the crucial role they play in achieving quality midwifery education and maternal healthcare"
"With the resources and support available, we expect our students to embrace the opportunity to learn and gain the hands-on experience they need to make a meaningful impact,” Professor Bam concluded.
Member of Parliament (MP), Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye commended UNFPA, Ministry of Health and NMTC.
He charged the nurses to go ou there and help save lives.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
Comments