December 4, 2024 11:01 AM
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BSMW Program

    BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MID-WIFERY (BSMW) Apply Online

    HEALTH SERVICES ACADEMYGOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination Islamabad

    Introduction

    Midwifery is a distinct profession than nursing in its own rights i.e., definition of title, scope of practice, philosophy, code of ethics, education, competencies, and services. Competent and qualified midwives contribute a pivotal role in improving maternal, neonatal, and child health. This document proposes an undergraduate four-year degree program to prepare midwives who will be qualified and licensed to provide quality care specifically to pregnant women and new born. The goal of the degree program is to establish midwifery education based on national and international best practices and on ICM (International Confederation of Midwives) standards that lead to excellence in evidence-based midwifery practice, teaching, and leadership. The higher education programs in midwifery will serve as exemplar for Pakistan and region.

    Background

    At present, in Pakistan, there are several midwifery cadres, with different formal education levels, who provide maternal and newborn/ child health services; however, until recently, there was no opportunity to obtain higher education in midwifery in the country. As a result, midwives were not adequately prepared or permitted to provide full scope of care to women. From UNFPA funding, in 2014, a two-year degree program a.k.a Post RM program was initiated in two schools of nursing in Pakistan (both is Karachi). These two schools have produced handful of midwifery graduates who are currently deployed at various places including schools of nursing & midwifery, hospitals, MCH centers and reproductive health projects. Moving on as a next step, UNFPA along with Health Services Academy (HSA) is planning to offer undergraduate four-year degree program to prepare midwives who will be qualified and licensed to provide quality care specifically to pregnant women and new born.

    Rationale

    Evidence shows that midwives prepared at international standards enhance normality throughout the birth cycle and reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality and promote health of mothers and newborns/ infants. Making higher education available based on the International Confederation of Midwives’ Global Standards for Midwifery Education and its Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice in Pakistan will enable midwives to alter the high mortality and morbidity among women and children. Moreover, qualified midwives will provide improved health care services, quality of practice and teaching, further the development of midwifery as a profession as well as expand career opportunities for women in Pakistan.

     

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    Definition of Midwife and Midwifery: Midwifery is the profession of midwives and has a unique body of knowledge, skills and professional attitudes drawn from disciplines shared by other health professions such as science and sociology, but practiced by midwives within a professional framework of autonomy, partnership, ethics and accountability. Midwifery care is provided by an autonomous midwife. Midwifery competencies (knowledge, skills and attitudes) are held and practiced by midwives, educated through a pre-service/preregistration. Midwifery is an approach to care of women and their newborn infants whereby midwives:=> Optimize the normal biological, psychological, social and cultural processes of childbirth and early life of the newborn. => Work in partnership with women, respecting the individual circumstances and views of each woman; => Promote women’s personal capabilities to care for themselves and their families; => Collaborate with midwives and other health professionals as necessary to provide holistic care that meets each woman’s individual needsIn Pakistan, all the graduates will be titled as ‘MIDWIFE’ after successful completion of the undergraduate midwifery degree program. This program and title both are approved by Pakistan Nursing Council.Scope of Practice:The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care, and advice during pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife’s own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. This care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, the accessing of medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.The midwife has an important task in health counseling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare. A midwife may practice in any setting including the home, community-based health units/ clinics, hospitals, or basic health units BHUs/ Rural Health Centers/ Taluqa and/or District hospitals.”[1][1] Copied from Pakistan Nursing Council Curriculum for BSM – unpublished document – Adapted from ICM 2017
    List of Competencies ( Adapted from ICM’s Essential Core Competencies, 2019)1.GENERAL COMPETENCIES:Assume responsibility for own decisions and actions as an autonomous practitionerAssume responsibility for self-care and self-development as a midwifeAppropriately delegate aspects of care and provide supervisionUse research to inform practiceUphold fundamental human rights of individuals when providing midwifery careAdhere to jurisdictional laws, regulatory requirements, and codes of conduct for midwifery practiceFacilitate women to make individual choices about careDemonstrate effective interpersonal communication with women and families, health care teams, and community groupsFacilitate normal birth processes in institutional and community settings, including women’s homesAssess the health status, screen for health risks, and promote general health and well-being of women and infantsPrevent and treat common health problems related to reproduction and early lifeRecognize conditions outside midwifery scope of practice and refer appropriatelyCare for women who experience physical and sexual violence and abuse2.GENERAL COMPETENCIES:· Provide pre-pregnancy care· Determine health status of woman· Assess fetal well-being· Monitor the progression of pregnancy· Promote and support health behaviors that improve well being· Provide anticipatory guidance related to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, parenthood, and change in the family· Detect, stabilize, manage, and refer women with complicated pregnancies· Assist the woman and her family to plan for an appropriate place of birth.3. CARE DURING LABOUR AND BIRTH· Promote physiologic labour and birth · Manage a safe spontaneous vaginal birth; prevent, detect and stabilize complication· Provide care of the newborn immediately after birth.4. ONGOING CARE OF WOMEN AND NEWBORNS· Provide pre-pregnancy care· Determine health status of woman· Assess fetal well-being· Monitor the progression of pregnancy

    List of Competencies ( Adapted from ICM’s Essential Core Competencies, 2019)