Sandoz launches midwife training programme in Ethiopia

Sandoz has announced the launch of a new midwife training programme in Ethiopia as part of wider efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

The New Life and New Hope scheme aims to minimise mortality rates associated with childbirth and will kick off with the first in a series of Sandoz-sponsored training sessions to improve obstetric knowledge among midwives in the African nation.

Under the scheme, four basic emergency obstetric and newborn care training sessions will be provided for 100 healthcare professionals in Ethiopia – a move expected to positively impact the care of approximately 40,000 pregnant women in the Addis Ababa area.

The training will be facilitated by the Ethiopian Midwives Association and will help to drive progress towards the UN's Millennium Development Goals, which include reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.

Ludmilla Reina, Sandoz country head for Ethiopia, said: "Enhancing the medical knowledge and skills capacity of health workers in Ethiopia will support the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality."

This comes after the firm marked World Cancer Day last month by making an effort to raise awareness of the global burden of childhood cancer.