Groundbreaking workshop to strengthen collaboration between midwives and OBGYNs
In June, Sierra Leone hosted a landmark training workshop bringing together representatives from the country’s midwives and OBGYNs professional associations, alongside key international partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Organised by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in partnership with FIGO as part of the C4W ACCT initiative, the workshop aimed to foster interprofessional collaboration and address longstanding power imbalances in sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare.
The workshop marked a first step forward in overcoming the historical tensions that have existed between midwives and OBGYNs. It created a safe space for dialogue, with participants encouraged to openly share challenges, best practices and aspirations for more integrated care.
The collaborative workshop between Sierra Leone midwives’ association (SLMA) and Sierra Leone Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (SLAGO) on family planning and comprehensive abortion care was a pivotal and invaluable experience, strengthening our shared commitment to improving reproductive health. This gathering fostered meaningful partnership and mutual support, empowering us to work together toward our common goals.
– Dr Amadu Sesay SLAGO President
Discussions emphasised Sierra Leone’s leadership in promoting interprofessional collaboration. The country already benefits from a well-established working relationship between midwives and doctors, formalised in its medical constitution. This foundation of mutual respect and trust was celebrated as a model for the region.
However, participants acknowledged that some challenges remain. Midwives at the workshop called for increased opportunities for joint pre-service training with doctors and advocated for the expansion of their roles in areas such as ultrasound scanning.
Empowering healthcare providers through training in family planning and comprehensive abortion care is not just about service delivery it's about upholding rights, saving lives and strengthening communities with informed, compassionate care.
– Edwina Florence Conteh, SLMA President
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need for more regional knowledge-sharing opportunities. Participants expressed a strong interest in establishing a Community of Practice for anglophone West Africa to share Sierra Leone’s experiences and learn from neighbouring countries.
The event not only demonstrated the power of collaboration at the global level between ICM and FIGO but also showed how such partnerships can create positive ripple effects locally - fostering a more united, effective and equitable approach to healthcare delivery.
Healthcare professionals getting together and talking doesn’t happen very often. The key is to keep the conversation going. When we feel empowered to speak up and share experiences, we all benefit–especially the women and communities we serve.
– Amy Carter, Midwife Programme Specialist at UNFPA
Find out more about C4W ACCT (Collaborate for women: Abortion and Contraception Care Together)