Through the Abundant Health initiative, Acción Medica Cristiana (AMC) and Global Ministries are working together to ensure safe, healthy births in Nicaragua through leadership training for midwives in local communities.
By Dominga Granado and Kathy Griffith*
Translated by Belinda Forbes
Dominga Granado, an AMC midwife, shares her experience from a recent training event.
Partnership and training
My name is Dominga Granado. I’m 51 years old and have been a traditional midwife for 29 years in Paraiso, Kukra River in Nicaragua. My work as a midwife allows me to give basic care to a mother before and after birth. I visit families to counsel them on safe pregnancy and childbirth. If there are complications, I refer them to a health center. If an emergency occurs, I organize the community to evacuate a pregnant woman to the health center.
I work with AMC and recently attended a six-day training at the government’s Ministry of Health center in San Francisco la Aurora. The government and AMC often work together, but through this Abundant Health initiative, they have developed a firm partnership. Together, they are helping to better equip local health clinics.
Working together
At first, I was nervous. I didn’t know how the health workers would receive me. As health professionals, would they welcome me? Would they accept my traditional practices?
I’m glad to say that my confidence and knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth grew with the support of the Ministry of Health workers. I shared my traditional work experiences, and they shared their scientific practices. We learned the value of each other’s work and realized that together we can better serve the women in our communities.
As a midwife, I learned that we lack vital information in our traditional methods. Some of these practices in our community can be harmful to the mother and baby, and this needs to change. However, there are also many positive aspects of our traditional practices, and midwives have done much to support the health of our community.
A newfound strength in my work
With my experience, the training, and support of the Abundant Health initiative, I can train more women and improve services. I’m glad to be part of these trainings and recommend they continue for our mutual benefit. In my work, I have encountered many special moments that have helped me to understand the importance of midwifery in the community, and this training was one of them.
Active partnerships for Abundant Health
United voices and actions for quality healthcare in communities and in local health facilities go hand in hand. Please consider supporting the United Methodist’s Abundant Health initiative by giving to Advance #3021770.
*Dominga Granado is a traditional midwife from Nicaragua. Kathy Griffith is program manager of Global Ministries’ Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health program.
