(Sinje Town, Grand Cape Mount County – March 2, 2025) – The Grand Cape Mount County Health Team has concluded a 10-day Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training for 25 healthcare providers from 23 health facilities across the county. The initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of midwives and nurses to handle obstetric and newborn emergencies, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the region. The training, supported through the Susan Thompson Buffet Project, targeted 13 midwives and 12 nurses from 21 primary clinics, one health center, and one hospital across the county. Facilitated by three technical staff from the MOH’s Family Health Division and two county-level supervisors, the program focused on reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality through enhanced service delivery at primary and secondary healthcare levels. Participants were equipped with essential skills and knowledge to handle complex obstetric emergencies, ensuring improved response capabilities at healthcare facilities.

During the training, participants engaged in interactive discussions, case studies, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) designed to enhance their clinical decision-making and emergency response skills. Key topics covered included respectful maternity care, family planning, high-risk pregnancy management, postpartum hemorrhage control, neonatal resuscitation, and triage and referral systems. Hands-on practical sessions also focused on life-saving procedures, such as manual removal of retained placenta, bimanual compression, uterine balloon tamponade, and neonatal resuscitation techniques like Helping Babies Breathe (HBB). To ensure sustainability, county and national health supervisors will conduct regular monitoring and mentorship of trained personnel, reinforcing the application of EmONC principles in daily clinical practice. The training marks an important step in building a resilient and responsive healthcare system for maternal and newborn care. The Ministry of Health remains committed to strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system through ongoing capacity-building initiatives.