Greater-Letaba Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Advocates celebrating International Day of the Midwife 2019

Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is not only about respecting and caring for pregnant women. It is also about respecting and appreciating the good efforts of midwives who go over and above to provide the best possible care for pregnant women. RMC is the backbone of the Limpopo Maternal CARE (LimMCARE) programme which is being piloted in the 22 health facilities in the Greater-Letaba sub-district. It was thus fitting to use International Day of the Midwife to celebrate and appreciate the midwives in Greater-Letaba for their hard work and dedication in implementing RMC at their respective facilities. The theme for this year’s International Day of the Midwife, “Midwives: Defenders of Women’s Rights” couldn’t have incapsulated the very essence of the RMC project and our very special midwives in Greater-Letaba any better. The day was as bright as the faces and attitudes of all our midwives who donned their bright green outfits which is the colour for midwives. One of the highlights, amongst many highlights on the day, was the award ceremony to recognise those facilities that have taken the first momentous step in implementing RMC, as well as those individuals, including managers who have been instrumental in improving maternal health services through the RMC initiative. Well done to Shotong Clinic who received the roving trophy for the best performing facility! Shotong Clinic took their first brave step by providing 24hour service for their pregnant women! This is already making a remarkable difference in the workload at Kgapane Hospital and in effect contributing to the improved quality of care for women in labour. All eyes are on the facility that will get the trophy next, bearing in mind that all the facilities are more than capable of receiving the trophy, so touch let’s go Greater-Letaba! All the speakers at the event shared a word of encouragement for the midwives who are proud RMC Advocates and Champions. We closed the event with a spiritual activity where all attendees gathered on a deck overlooking a river and were given a balloon. Each one had to close their eyes and reflect and acknowledge every negative feeling, attitude and thought that prohibits them from providing respectful and quality care to pregnant women. Each individual released their balloon when they were ready to let go of the negative feelings, attitudes and thoughts, leaving them with positive thoughts, attitudes and feelings to enable them to provide respectful care to their clients. Care of the carer is certainly needed as part of RMC. Looking forward to growing from strength to strength with RMC in Greater-Letaba. “RMC iya rocka“