Haiti's only midwifery school: Institut National Superieur de Formation Sage Femme (INSFSF) will host FAHM’s 4th Annual Midwifery Conference presented by SHOG (Society of Haitian Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Twenty-six midwifery students and 4 practicing midwives will be taught emergency obstetrical skills: didactic as well as use of a simulation lab where they can practice and perfect their skills.

Presented in partnership with L’Association Infirmière Sage Femme d’Haiti (AISFH), GoDocGo, Community 2 Community (C2C)  and with the support of Every Mother Counts and Rona Jaffe Foundation. Haitian professional midwives in attendance received training in the most updated, evidence-based cervical cancer screening and treatment, STI-screening and treatment, gynecological care and family planning. The conference included the screening and education of over 70 women from the Petit Goave community.

Presented in partnership with UNFPA, L’Association Infirmière Sage Femme d’Haiti (AISFH), and Institut National Superieur de Formation Sage Femme (INSFSF),  Haiti’s only professional midwifery education program. 

Midwives are often a woman's only medical provider. Midwives care for women throughout their life cycle. This year's conference will highlight evidenced based gynecological and obstetrical care:

• Breast and cervical cancer awareness, screening and treatment

• Women's reproductive health:

  • Family planning (IUD insertion/ implants,etc.)

  • Nutrition

• Pregnancy & birth: "The fourth stage of labor" (skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, patient- centered care)

• Professional issues in midwifery

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. WHO's (World Health Organization) strategy to prevent and control cervical cancer is based on community education, prevention and screening of precancerous lesions.

FAHM is pleased to be working with Innovating Health International (IHI). IHI has been providing training as well as public awareness for breast and cervical cancer in nearly a dozen countries in Central and South America and Africa. They have been working along side the Ministry of Health (MSPP) in Haiti since 2004. They will be providing intensive training in community outreach/awareness as well as screening with VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid), and treatment of identified lesions through cryotherapy (known as SEE AND TREAT).

The purpose is three-fold:

• To provide continuing education highlighting the latest evidence-based research

• To promote the midwifery model of care in Haiti

• To provide space for networking and strengthening professional midwifery associations in Haiti