Pakistan’s Midwifery History Changed! Historic MAP & ICM Partnership at AKUSONAM

By: Shabir Hussain Jhatial

January 29-30, 2025 will remain in the collective memory of Pakistan's Nursing-Midwifery Community as a day of historic significance equating with Midwives Association of Asia (MAA) Congregation in Islamabad last year . On this momentous occasion the Midwifery Association of Pakistan (MAP) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) converged at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM) in Karachi for two days' collaborative efforts to chalk out common grounds to work together for the challenges of the new times.

The goal and objectives that guided this collaborative endeavour were threefold:

To fortify the capacity of MAP and its members in enhancing the standards of midwifery in Pakistan.
To foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding between MAP and ICM in ever changing global contexts.
To chart a course for the future repleted with promising possibilities of professional and public health issues being faced by women folk.

This masterly planned endeavor by President MAP Dr. Rafat Jan and her team brought together the concerned leadership of the midwifery domain both having domestic and international perspectives

The ICM delegation included: Ms. Aigul Kasymova (Senior Lead, Donor Compliance & Resource Mobilization), Ms. Nikkie Yeaman (Head of Finance and Operations), 3-Ms. Neha Mankani (Strengthening, Humanitarian Engagement, and Climate Advisor).

The Key Activities Included :

MAP Assessment Report: The ICM delegation's report and suggestions were masterful synthesis of MAP's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and benefits of the global connections.
Action Plan: A comprehensive action plan with replete of strategic initiatives and tangible objectives was devised.
SWOT Analysis Training: A training session was conducted empowering MAP Board Members with the expertise to conduct SWOT analyses which were taken as a crucial tool in strategic planning for the goals set.

This masterly planned endeavor by President MAP Dr. Rafat Jan and her team brought together the concerned leadership of the midwifery domain both having domestic and international perspectives. The ICM delegation included: Ms. Aigul Kasymova (Senior Lead, Donor Compliance & Resource Mobilization), Ms. Nikkie Yeaman (Head of Finance and Operations), 3-Ms. Neha Mankani (Strengthening, Humanitarian Engagement, and Climate Advisor).

While the MAP leadership included: Dr. Rafat Jan (President MAP), Ms. Musarat Rani(Vice President), Ms. Afshan Tasneem(Vice President), Ms. Marina Hashwani (Genral Secretary) Ms. Gloria Nobel( Treasurer) Executive Board Members, Dr. Nazia Ilias (Add.DGN Punjab), Ms.Samina Gulzar (Hyd), Ms.Naoroz Bibi (GB), Ms. Shaista (Balochistan), Ms. Daolat Karim (Khi), Ms.Gulzar Habib Ullah (KPK), Ms. Kiran Ubed(AKUSONAM), Ms. Zehra Raheem & important Administrative Staff of MAP.

In conclusion it could be claimed that this historic collaborative conclave marked a watershed moment in the annals of Pakistan's midwifery community as the MAP embarked on this new chapter of journey. It is hoped that the renewed hope, revitalized purpose and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the standards of midwifery in Pakistan. And that MAP has great leadership skills to trickle down their experiences to the grass root levels where majority of midwives work.

Tailpiece: On third day of their visit to Pakistan, the ICM delegates visited renowned Lady Dufferin Community Midwifery School of Karachi being ably spearheaded by Midwifery Expert Ms. Mahmooda Khwaja.

They intermingled with students and practiced some advanced midwifery skills. They expressed gratitude to hosts and praised the standard of training at CMW School.

#MidwiferyPakistan #NursingPakistan #MAPMidwifery #ICMMidwifery #MidwiferyLeadership #AgaKhanUniversity #MaternalHealth #MidwiferyEducation #MidwiferyTraining #GlobalMidwifery #WomenHealthPakistan #MidwivesOfPakistan #NursingAndMidwifery #HealthcarePakistan #MidwiferyDevelopment #MidwiferyProfession #MidwiferyStandards #NursingLeadership #MidwiferyConference #NursesOfPakistan

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