The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological (OBG) Nursing at Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), celebrated the ‘International Day of the Midwives 2024’ on May 7th and 8th, 2024, at Dr TMA Pai Taluk Hospital in Udupi and the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Bailor, Karkala. The theme for this year’s Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) 2024, designated by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), was “Sustainable Midwifery: Caring for Tomorrow’s World.”

As part of this celebration, awareness sessions and practical demonstrations were conducted for nurses, midwives, and Community Health Officers (CHOs). These sessions emphasized sustainable midwifery practices. Dr. Sonia R. B D’Souza, Professor and HoD of the Department of OBG Nursing, MCON, delivered the first talk on the day’s theme. Mrs. Pratibha, Assistant Professor, discussed “Peanut Ball: Intervention for Sustainable Midwifery,” followed by a practical demonstration session on "Simplified Partograph: Tool for Sustainable Midwifery” by Dr Sushmitha R Karkada, Assistant Professor.

The taluk hospital sessions were attended by approximately 25 to 30 staff nurses and midwives, while the outreach program at PHC, Bailor, Karkala, benefited around 50 to 60 community health nursing personnel, including CHOs, ANMs, and ASHAs.

Additionally, an enlightening guest lecture was delivered by Mrs. Geena Louis D’Souza, an alumna of MCON. She currently serves as a Community Health Officer (CHO) at the Health & Wellness Centre, Kananjar subcentre, Bailoor PHC, Karkala. Her session focused on the role of CHOs in maternal and child health care, including insights into various flagship government programs such as Pradhan Manthri Mathratwa Yojane, aimed at improving maternal and child health in the community. Mrs. Pratibha, the coordinator for the Midwifery Day programs, introduced the speaker, and Mrs. Shobha, Lecturer, delivered the vote of thanks.

This session, attended by 100 undergraduates, enriched their understanding of vital healthcare services available in the community. The celebration of Midwifery Day and the outreach program aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 – good health and well-being and SDG 4 – quality education