MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, July 5th, 2024 – UNFPA Equatorial Guinea joined effort with the Ministry of Health and Social Well-being (Reproductive Health Program) and successfully trained 97 midwives on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), a critical set of priority actions to ensure sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in emergencies. Mrs Anna Pont, the Resident Coordinator joined Mrs Hind Jalal, the UNFPA Representative to chair the closing ceremony, underscoring the significance of this achievement.
This comprehensive training equips midwives with the knowledge and skills to provide lifesaving SRH services during crises, aligning with the International Conference on Population and Development's Action Plan, which emphasizes the right to SRH and services for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and mitigation. The program also addressed the humanitarian mandate of UNFPA, ensuring the provision of emergency SRH services in humanitarian contexts, promoting gender equality, and enhancing data collection for effective response planning.
The training focused on disaster risk reduction and preparedness, including contingency planning, equipment and supply management, coordination mechanisms, evacuation procedures, public information, training, and field exercises. These activities are crucial for building resilience and ensuring a rapid and effective response when emergencies occur.
The MISP training covered a wide range of topics, such as preventing and addressing the consequences of sexual violence, reducing HIV transmission, preventing excess maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and planning for comprehensive SRH services integrated into primary health care.
By empowering midwives with these essential skills, UNFPA is strengthening Equatorial Guinea's health system, strengthening preparedness and ensuring the continuity of SRH services even in the face of emergencies. This initiative reflects UNFPA's commitment to protecting the health and rights of women and girls, particularly in vulnerable situations.
