WIREDGOV

Ten exciting and innovative projects run by NHS staff and health charities have been awarded grants from the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa Health Links grant scheme. 

One of the projects to receive funding is Midwives@Ethiopia, a dedicated group of midwives working with partners in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia.

The charity will receive more than £9,000 to help improve maternity care for mothers and babiesand work with the Ethiopian Midwives Association developing continuing professional development programmes for midwives.

The grant scheme supports the professional development of NHS Wales staff while delivering an impactful project to improve health in sub-Saharan Africa. For NHS staff this work can count as part of their continuing professional development. The grant scheme also supports work to develop a new link or an ongoing health link.

Speaking about the scheme, First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

"The health projects supported by Wales for Africa are having life changing effects. I visited Africa earlier this year and saw for myself just how valuable the knowledge and skills of our health volunteers are in helping to improve conditions and life-chances.

"My visit was inspiring and showed just how much can be achieved through joint working. The latest round of funding means we can continue this good work and make a real and lasting difference."

Health Minister Mark Drakeford added:

"I’m delighted Wales will be able to offer funding and support through the Wales for Africa Health Links grant scheme. These projects will help to train healthcare workers and ensure better health services for communities in many African countries.

"In turn, the experiences the volunteers bring back with them will strengthen the NHS and other bodies in the healthcare sector in Wales, meaning we are developing as a nation by offering our support internationally."

Emma Mills from midwives@ethiopia added:

"We are extremely grateful for the grant from the Welsh Government and also for the ongoing help and support provided. We are a small charity made up only of volunteers but with the help of fundraising and grants, we are able to see the huge impact we are making to the lives of women, babies and their families in Southern Ethiopia.

"Funding directly reduces maternal mortality by providing essential training to midwives and health extension workers at a local level and in partnership with colleagues in Ethiopia. At midwives@ethiopia we believe every woman worldwide should be able to give birth safely and without fear, and no child should lose his/her mother in childbirth.

"Funding from the Welsh Government means that  midwives@ethiopia can offer opportunities to Welsh health professionals and students to travel with the established charity to learn new skills that in turn means they can offer more holistic care to the Welsh people."

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Wales for Africa