The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Malawi (AOGM) has called for stronger health systems and multidisciplinary collaboration to reduce preventable deaths among women and newborns.
Opening the association’s 11th Annual Scientific Meeting in Salima, AOGM President Dr Friday Saidi said Malawi’s maternal mortality ratio stood at approximately 224 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality was estimated at 24 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“We know that many of these deaths are preventable,” Dr Saidi said, citing health worker-related factors identified in confidential enquiries into maternal deaths.
He said reducing deaths required skilled healthcare workers, adequately equipped facilities and better collaboration across medical disciplines.
The three-day meeting is being held under the theme, “Integrated, Multidisciplinary Care for Women and Newborns: Bridging Evidence, Practice, and Systems.”
Professor Bellington Vwalika of Zambia has delivered his keynote address, while Professor Zozo Nene of South Africa is expected to speak later during the co
Dr Saidi said AOGM had enrolled 17 trainees across two centres under the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Fellowship Training Programme.
The meeting will also feature the association’s first AOGM Awards, recognising excellence in clinical service, teaching, research and leadership.
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