Sierra Leone Twinning Project

The Sierra Leone Twinning Project was started in August 2009 and will continue up to 2012. Within the framework of this project, 25 Dutch obstetricians have been paired up with 25 obstetricians from sierra Leone. They will in any case exchange knowledge and experiences for a period of three years. In 2011, the Twin obstetricians will jointly participate in a congress in Durban (South Africa). The Twinning Project is a cooperation between the Royal Netherlands Organisation of Obstetricians (KNOV) and the SLMA (Sierra Leone Midwives Association) sister organisation.  

Why Twinning?
The main objective of the project is to reduce child and mother mortality rates in Sierra Leone. One in eight women in Sierra Leone dies due to pregnancy. Based on that statistic, this country - together with Afghanistan - has the highest mother and child mortality rates. In addition, Dutch obstetricians and their colleagues from Sierra Leone will exchange knowledge and experiences. Obstetricians can learn from each other, which results in increased empowerment. Obstetricians considering each other as their equals is an important aspect therein.

Objectives
Concrete, joint objectives were formulated during a project meeting in Freetown. The objectives of the Twinning Project include:

• Setting up a professional organisation for obstetricians in Sierra Leone
• Training and supporting newly-qualified obstetricians
• Supporting obstetricians by e.g. offering refresher courses
• Monitoring qualitative care by e.g. maintaining a register

The main objective of the Twinning Project is of course to reduce mother and child mortality rates! 

Do you want to make a contribution to the Twinning Project?
Do you want to make a contribution to the Twinning Project and as such help reduce mother and child mortality rates? If so, you can transfer your gift to bank account number 42.99.65.478 in the name of KNOV in UTRECHT, stating Twinning and the name of the donor.

Video diary of the Twinning workshop in Sierra Leone