Ministry of Health Launches Training Workshop on Emergency Obstetric, Newborn, and Maternal Care Guidelines at Saudi Hospital

Khartoum /
The Federal Ministry of Health, through the General Directorate of Primary Health Care, the Maternal and Child Health Department, and the National Reproductive Health Program, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched a training workshop today at Saudi Hospital in Omdurman. The workshop aims to prepare trainers on the Emergency Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Newborn Care Guidelines.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, alongside Professor Bashir Al-Jaili, Director of the Workshop; Dr. Musab Siddig, Director of the General Directorate of Primary Health Care; Dr. Asmahan Al-Khair, Director of Maternal and Child Health; Sister Amal Mahmoud, Director of the National Reproductive Health Program; and representatives of partner organizations.

In his remarks, the Federal Minister of Health emphasized the importance of Saudi Hospital’s return to providing maternal and child health services following the damage it sustained. He noted that the national strategy places maternal and child health at the forefront of priorities. He also commended the efforts of the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) in rehabilitating the Saudi Women and Maternity Hospital.

The Minister urged participants to go beyond their role as trainees and become part of a major national program aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality. He praised the efforts of obstetricians and gynecologists working in rural hospitals and contributing to their development. He concluded by expressing special appreciation to the ministry’s partners in reducing maternal mortality, particularly UNFPA and WHO.

Professor Bashir Al-Jaili expressed his pleasure at the participation of the Federal Minister of Health in the workshop, describing it as a reflection of the government’s commitment to maternal and child health. He thanked the Federal Ministry of Health for its dedication to ensuring high-quality training and expressed hope that the workshop would contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Sudan.

For his part, Dr. Musab Siddig, Director of the General Directorate of Primary Health Care, stated that reducing maternal and child mortality is a key objective of the ministry, achieved through strengthening and expanding health services. He also expressed his satisfaction that the workshop was being launched from the conference hall of the Saudi Women and Maternity Hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr. Asmahan Al-Khair, Director of Maternal and Child Health, stressed that training on the guidelines is one of the most important strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality among mothers and newborns. She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing the capacities of healthcare workers, describing training as “a true investment in people and in the white army of healthcare professionals.”

Sister Amal Mahmoud, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Program, outlined three key strategies for reducing maternal and newborn mortality: improving emergency obstetric and newborn care services, enhancing readiness to receive referred cases, and building the capacities of healthcare workers through training on the updated guidelines and the provision of essential medical supplies. She affirmed the continuation of cooperation with partners to implement these plans in phases