Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) organised a week long workshop on “Role of Nurses in Maternal and Newborn Care
at its headquarters during 18-25 November 2009.
India has made significant progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality over the last few decades. Yet, of the
progress made, the proportion of maternal and newborn mortality continues to be high in our country. It is indeed the most
significant health challenge facing the nation today. The need for bringing down maternal and neonatal mortality rate has been
strongly stressed in our national health programmes and policy.
Being an important care provider in the health care delivery system, nurses play pivotal role in reduction of maternal and
infant mortality starting from primary level to the tertiary levels. Keeping this in view, the TNAI organised this workshop at the
national level. The main purpose of the workshop was to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the nurses on maternal and
newborn care at different levels of health care settings.
The main objectives of the workshop were to:
appreciate the existing maternal and child health scenario in India.
practice the supervisory and training skills of nurses for providing the effective maternal and new born care in hospital /
community setting.
apply principles of communication and counselling skills in interaction with mothers and families.
explain the concept and new interventions in maternal and child health under NRHM.
demonstrate essential skills to ensure skilled birth attendance.
identify the constraints in implementing skilled attendance at birth and strategies to overcome the problems encountered.
Participants: Twenty Nurse professionals working in the area of maternal and newborn participated in the workshop. They
represented 6 States of the country (Andhra Pradesh -2. Assam -3, Delhi-10, Maharashtra-2, Tamil Nadu -2, West Bengal -1).
Inaugural Session
Mrs Sheila Seda, Secretary General, TNAI gave a floral welcome to the Chief Guest, Dr Ardi Kaptiningsih, Regional Advisor,
WHO, SEARO, New Delhi, Guest of Honor Dr VK Anand, UNICEF, India country office and other guest invitees and participants.
Mrs. Nanthini Subbiah, Dy Secretary-General and Coordinator, CEP, TNAI presented an overview of the ongoing workshop.
Dr Ardi presented overview of the maternal and newborn scenario in India. Dr VK Anand during his address emphasised the
need for strengthening pre-service education in order to reduce MMR&WMR. He also assured that the UNICEF will always
come forward to support the TNAI activities. The inaugural session ended with vote of the thanks by Mrs Evelyn P Kannan,
Assistant Secretary-General, TNAI.
Proceedings
The following course contents were covered by the
various resource persons who have expertise in the
field of maternal and newborn care.
Maternal and Child Health scenario in India (Dr.
Manisha Malhotra, Asst Commissioner [MH],
MOH&FW). Concepts and new interventions in maternal
and child health under NRHM with focus on
skilled birth attendance (Dr Sangeeta Saxena, Asst
Commissioner [MH], MOH&FW). Operationalising
skilled attendance at birth: programme issues. (Dr
Himanshu Bhushan, Asst Commissioner [MH],
MOH&FW). Concepts, significance and methods of
supervision and training skills. (Dr Bimla Kapoor, Director,
SOHS, IGNOU). IPC and counselling skills.
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Mrs Sheila Seda, Secretary-General, TNAI,
welcomes the dignitaries,
distinguished guest
invitees and participants.
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required for providing effective maternal and new born care in
hospital/community (Mrs Laxmi, Lecturer, SOHS, IGNOU).
Reviewing the management of normal pregnancy (Mrs Geeta
Razdan, Sr Lecturer, CON, AIIMS). Reviewing the care of
mother during delivery (Dr Molly Babu, Sr Lecturer, RAK
CON). Reviewing the care of Mother during postpartum period
(Mrs. Sneh Manocha, Registrar, DNC). Identification of
high risk mothers and management of complications during
intra-natal period (Dr Suneeta Mittal, HOD, Obs. & Gynae
Dept, AIIMS). Identification of high risk mothers and management
of complications during postpartum period (Dr S Menon,
Professor, RBM Dept, NIHFW). Essential newborn care (Mrs
OK Kathuria, Former Coordinator, RAK College of Nursing,
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Dr Himanshu Bhushan, Asst Commissioner (MH),
MOH&FW, New Delhi, addressing the gathering
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New Delhi). Neonatal advance life saving techniques. Identification
and care of low birth weight (LBW) babies (Dr
Sugandha, Dept of Pediatrics, SJH). Identification and care of sick neonate (Dr Harish Chellani, Asso Professor & Incharge of
Neonate Unit, SJH). Neonatal transport (Dr S Saluja, Secretary, Neonatology Forum, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital). Prevention and control of infection in NICU (Dr Pity Kaul, Professor, SOHS, IGNOU). MIS related to maternal and
child health (Dr Gurpreet Singh, Training Progr Officer, Indian Population Project, Delhi). Prevention and management of
hypothermia in newborn (Mrs Poonam Joshi, Lecturer, SON, AIIMS). Procedure on baby bath, massage and skin care of the
baby (demonstration by Ms Surekha Sama, Principal, SON, DDUH.)
As part of the workshop, the participants were taken to Kalawati Saran Hospital on 21 November 2009 where they had a
demonstrative session on Neonatal Resuscitation by Dr Arvind Saili and Dr Ajay. They also had an opportunity to re-demonstrate
the procedure of neonatal resuscitation.
Course Evaluation
The course was evaluated on the basis of pre-test and post-test and participants’ feedback on relevance and coverage of contents
and methodology. Regarding the extent to which the course objectives have been fulfilled, majority (90%) of the participants
commented that the objectives of the course were fully achieved. On coverage of contents and methodology used, 95 percent of the
participants said that the contents were fully covered and the methodology was appreciable. Regarding accommodation, they
emphasised that it must be provided within the campus.
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Dr Himanshu Bhushan , Asst. Commissioner (MH), MOH&FW,
New Delhi was the Chief Guest and Dr (Mrs) Pity Kaul was the
Guest of Honor. At the outset Mrs Sheila Seda, welcomed the
Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour. The workshop resume
was given by Mrs N Subbiah. The Chief Guest, Dr Bhushan
and Guest of Honor, Dr (Mrs) Pity Kaul shared their views on
Maternal and Newborn Care. Dr. Bhushan emphasised the
wider role of nurse-midwives in the area of MCH care, particularly
SBA training. “We should work on a collaborative platform
for quality care as nurses, our attitude towards patient care should
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Participants with the organisers
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be positive, he stressed. He assured full support from his ministry to TNAI. Dr Pity Kaul, in her address said that we, as nurses are
direct in link with the clients where ever we are working, we have opportunity to educate the people on various issues on health. She
pressed upon evidence based research and applicability in our clinical fields and continuous update on our skills and knowledge to
achieve the MDGs 4 & 5. Two representatives from the participants presented their remarks on various aspects of the workshop.
Then the certificates were given to the participants by the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour. Mrs E Kannan concluded the session
with vote of thanks. The participants donated Rs. 7100/- towards CIN/ECH fund.
