Key Messages1. Calmed programme based on vocational training the trainer model had been piloted successfully with validated outcomes in improving knowledge, skills and behaviour of health care professionals caring for pregnant women, babies and communities, in two sites in India. 2. A technical assistance package(training resources, volunteers, partnership with global organisations and access to funding) to implement future high impact programmes for the elimination of preventable maternal and new-born mortality is now available. 3. Rotarians, Rotaractors and Activists are invited to join Rotarian Vocational Alliance Saving Mothers and Babies(calmedrotary.org) for joint action. 4. Country champions are needed to act through In-Country Forum (a partnership of Rotarians, Rotaractors, NGOs and Government) to offer technical assistance and implement strategic programmes (scaling up of the Calmed training model), for the elimination of preventable maternal and new-born mortality in the country. 5. Vocational expertise and partnership have been shown to help growth in high impact Rotary service engagement, programme development and Rotary membership recruitment. HAMBURG MEETING– This was a round table discussion during the Hamburg Convention, on creating a road map to acceleration towards eliminating preventable maternal and new-born mortality in individual countries in need. PARTICIPANTS– The session was moderated by RI Director Elect Dr Jan Lucas Ket (RI District 1580). Opening speakers were PDG Dr. Himansu Basu (RI District 1120) and PDG Dr Urs Herzog (RI District 1980). The discussion was opened by Past RI Vice President Celia Cruz de Giay (RI District 4895). Participants were all invited personally -included were twenty-six Rotarians, and guests, including Board members of Rotarian Action Group on Population Development (RFPD) and Rotarian Doctors Fellowship (IFRD). Staff member Zuhal Sharp provided valuable logistical support. HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESENTATIONSDr Jan Lucas Ketwelcomed the members of the audience, highlighted the need to have a continuous, sustainable, future-oriented, effective and measurable approach to maternal mortality reduction. These will be based on Rotary’s strategic priorities: increase our impact, focus on programs, expand our reach and enhance participant engagement with existing organizations. He presented two specific challenges to the audience: Preparing a vocational service training project together with Rotary and Rotaract clubs. Rotary as a grassroots organisation is well placed to support such initiatives. Secondly, as a long-term solution, founding one or more knowledge centres, a kind of Rotary MCH Academy, for vocational training on MCH in the broadest sense: offering training not only on medical (obstetrics, paediatrics and public health) but also on safety, hygiene, economic circumstances, education and environmental sustainability, and on partnerships, accountability, monitoring and evaluation. The centres when fully functional will produce caregivers of international standard at certificate, diploma and master level with potential for leadership and research. Dr Himansu Basuindicated that the status of maternal and child health was one of the great social injustice of the 21stcentury. Rotary has the capability to bridge the gaps in the care of mothers and babies in low resourced settings and action should be taken. The innovative programme CALMED “Collaborative Actions in the Lowering of Maternity Encountered Deaths” is one such high impact program which could help accelerate the reduction of the estimated 300,000 annual maternal and 6,000,000 annual child deaths. He stressed the importance of capacity building through vocational training (training the trainer model) and partnership in creating a road map to eliminate avoidable maternal and new-born deaths. The aim is to improve knowledge, skills and behaviour of all involved in the care of mothers and babies through training and retraining. This programme is holistic, flexible and adaptable to individual country’s needs and priorities. A Technical Assistance Package (training materials, volunteers and access to funding) is now available to assist ordinary Rotarians without specialised knowledge or expertise, to implement the programme in low resource settings. The Alliance based on vocational expertise and partnership is equipped to accelerating growth (capacity building and increase in membership). It is in alignment with Rotary’s strategic vision statement
He called the audience to action through Rotarian Vocational Alliance for saving mothers and babies. The Alliance will support Country Forum through the provision of technical assistance and partnership (Rotary, Government, Health Care Professionals and NGOs) within countries in need, for scaling up of programmes based on the Calmed template. The Alliance has the potential to grow our service (in MCH) through Technical Assistance package, to grow the impact of our Calmed project on capacity development (through training the trainers) and even to grow membership by making Rotary attractive through networking and successful vocational programmes and involvement of project partners. Through the Alliance, Rotary truly Connects the World. Details and application forms to join the Alliance are available on the website (calmedrotary.org)
Dr. Urs Herzog spoke about opportunities available for seeking funding support for well-constructed Global Grant programmes. Funding from within and beyond Rotary can be accessed, depending on circumstances. He emphasised the importance of host partner having ownership of the project with clearly defined benefits for the host country, of strength originating from a partnership with renowned NGOs at the country level and of a well-informed motivated international partner. He offered suggestions about enhancing the prospect of outside donor support through personal contact, explanation and continued dialogue between programme coordinators and funders. He urged the audience to initiate one or more programmes with resources and technical support already available. DISCUSSIONSPast RI Vice President Celia Giayspoke about the importance of initiating structured, resourced and funded in-country programmes. Opportunities are now available to assist/support the programmes from Rotary organisations in the Maternal and Child Health area of focus including Fellowships and Action Groups, with ownership of Rotaractors and Rotarians. There is a need for country champions to take leadership of such projects, supported by resources mentioned by the three opening speakers. Rotarian Nayan Patel(RI District 1130) spoke about the opportunities now available to Rotarians and Rotaractors in countries especially Africa and South East Asia where the mortalities are still very high. There is a defined road map available to ordinary Rotarians to pick up the challenge. He offered to assist in Uganda, as an example. The challenge is to set up a working group of Rotarians and supporters and coordinate efforts at the national level, supported by the Government and NGOs. Other speakers spoke about many challenges at the country level and lack of coordination in bridging gaps in the care of pregnant women and babies. The meeting concluded with a positive note from the speakers and the audience in support of action through Rotarian Vocational Alliance Saving Mothers and Babies. FOLLOW ON – UGANDAN INITIATIVEAn implementation group of interested Rotarians for the elimination of preventable maternal deaths has been set up by Rotarians from Uganda (RI District 9211) and The Netherlands (DRFC District 1570 PDG Lies van Wijngaarden) and coordinated by PDG Dr Urs Herzog. Strong support and coordination are also forthcoming from DG Francis Xavier -2019-20 (RI District 9211) and other senior Rotary leaders from District 9211, PDG Geeta Manek, as well as the Uganda UK Health Alliance (UUKHA) coordinated by Rtn. Nayan Patel and fellow Rotarian HE Ambassador Peter Julius Moto. PDG Dr Himansu Basu has offered to assist with vocational training opportunities with updated technical assistance packages including training materials and volunteers needed. It is anticipated that this project in Uganda will grow, with strong support from the Geneva Rotary Health Initiative and WHO. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSA huge thank you to all participants who contributed to discussions, suggestions and guidance about the way forward, enabling Rotarian Vocational Alliance in scaling up high impact Calmed VTT programmes. A special thank you to RI Director Jan Lucas Ket, PDG Urs Herzog, Past RI Vice President Celia Giay and Rtn Nayan Patel for guidance in assembling and writing this report. Reporter- PDG Dr Himansu Basu July 8, 2019 On behalf of the Hamburg Round Table Participants |
