Supporting quality midwifery care in a reciprocal capacity building partnership between The Gambia and Sweden

Quality care with professional midwives regulated according to international standards is vital for improved health outcomes in sexual and reproductive health (SRHR).

Barriers/facilitators for quality midwifery care exist on different levels in the health system, rooted in politics and the health system organization.

The Gambia and Sweden comprise two countries with substantial geopolitical differences, however, while both have established midwifery professions they yet face challenges.

How can achievements made in midwifery care/education be sustained and developed, how can lessons learned in the different countries contribute and induce change?

By drawing on a health system framework including also overarching factors on health system/political level, learning from two unique scenarios can be facilitated with new perspectives added.

The overall purpose is to provide a scientific foundation aimed at improving the quality of midwifery care in The Gambia, while also allowing for reciprocal learning between Gambia and Sweden to support improved SRHR.

A research collaboration with network activities will in a first phase prioritize, establish a relevant research agenda and write proposals for coming phases.

Components in next phase will include interventions addressing the midwifes’ roles on most needed level(s) in the health care system.

Activities include online and onsite workshops with stakeholders, field studies, proposal writing and a health system course.