Open days for health staff held at three skills laboratories in Cambodia

In March 2018, open days were held at each skills lab established at the Provincial Referral Hospitals of Kampot, Kampong Thom, and Kampong Speu. The skills labs provide midwives, doctors and other health staff opportunities to practice skills in a safe environment with the support of a trainer, and help improve the quality of care. The aim of the open days was to showcase the learning environment and equipment to encourage staff to use the skills lab. Through the GIZ Improving Maternal and Newborn Care Project, in cooperation with GFA and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the skills labs are now busy supporting midwives, nurses and doctors in practicing live-saving skills required to provide emergency care to a mother or baby. During the open days, a total of 105 healthcare workers visited the skills labs. One midwife said, ‘It is the first time I have visited the skills lab. I have really enjoyed practicing skills on the mannequins, especially breech delivery and neonatal resuscitation. It will help me when I am at work. I will come again.’

Photo: Teaching about the management of retained placenta, which is potentially life threatening, during the skills lab open day at the Kampong Thom Provincial Referral Hospital.

Each open day was accompanied by teaching sessions held in the afternoons. In Kampot, 27 midwives attended a teaching session in the skills lab during their Midwife Coordination Alliance Team meeting. In small groups, they all had the opportunity to practice skills in resuscitation and complicated births – including breech and shoulder dystocia – and to participate in a role play on the management of a postpartum haemorrhage. One midwife said, ‘Now I understand more what to do when a woman has a haemorrhage following the birth of her baby. This will help save her life and make me a better midwife.’

Photo: Discussion about the administration of magnesium sulphate, initially intra-venously and then via intra-muscular injection, at the Kampong Thom Provincial Referral Hospital.

Terry Kana, Senior Research Associate, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Visit LSTM-website (CENTRE FOR MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HELTH)

Photo credits: GIZ Cambodia\Nora Sorn