GET INVOLVED
Skilled Birth Attendants (SBA) are government certified medical professionals trained to manage pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period. They are also equipped to identify and manage the referral of complications in women and newborns. The presence of an SBA can drastically reduce the chances of maternal and neonatal mortality. The total cost to sponsor a nurse to attend the government-approved skilled birth attendant training program is $1,500. This covers the cost of tuition, travel and administrative fees. Select a training candidate below to learn more about her.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
One Heart World Wide’s SBA training program is an intensive two-month course in obstetric and immediate neonatal care for eligible nurses serving in remote regions. The program includes 4 weeks of classroom teaching followed by 4 weeks of clinical experience in a maternity ward. Throughout the stages of training, donors will receive progress reports detailing their SBA’s advancements. In this course, nurses learn to:
- Provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care
- Timely recognition and appropriate management of danger signs in pregnancy, such as eclampsia
- Timely recognition and appropriate management of obstetric and neonatal complications
- Active management of a normal birth
- Knowledge and skills about proper sterilization of instruments and proper cleaning of the facility to reduce infections
Our Trainee Candidates
What is an SBA?
The World Health Organization defines a Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) as someone, “trained to proficiency in the skills needed to manage normal (uncomplicated) pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period and in the identification, management and referral of complications in women and newborns.” In Nepal, medical providers must attend an intensive two-month course in obstetric and immediate neonatal in order to be certified as an SBA by the government.
Why are SBAs important?
The presence of an SBA is the single most effective intervention to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. An integral part of our Network of Safety model involves training SBAs in safe delivery practices and equipping them with adequate resources and a supportive infrastructure. These hard-working and compassionate women provide health services and education, not only for the mother, but also for the family and community.
What do trainees receive through my sponsorship?
Your sponsorship covers every expense for a nurse to be certified as a skilled birth attendant: tuition, lodging, transportation and living expenses. All SBAs attend an intensive two-month course in obstetric and immediate neonatal. The program includes four weeks of classroom teaching followed by four weeks of clinical experience in a maternity ward. During the course, the trainee learns:
- Provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care
- Timely recognition and appropriate management of danger signs in pregnancy, such as eclampsia
- Active management of a normal birth
- Knowledge and skills about proper sterilization of instruments and proper cleaning of the facility to reduce infections
- Timely recognition and appropriate management of obstetric and neonatal complications
After completing the program, each care provider will receive their official SBA certification. After learning the basics of antenatal, obstetric and postnatal care, SBAs return to their villages to serve mothers and newborns.
How much does it cost?
The total cost for One Heart Worldwide to send an SBA for training is $1,500.
Can I get updates from my sponsee?
Yes, you can expect to hear from the SBA you sponsor when she completes her training program.
Who are One Heart Worldwide's partners?
Although One Heart Worldwide has many partners, we are working with the Birth Center of Boulder (BCoB) to launch this sponsorship program to ensure that every mother in Nepal has access to quality, compassionate maternal care. BCoB is staffed by a dedicated group of women– certified nurse-midwives, registered nurses, and lactation consultants – to provide nurturing support and education-based care. One Heart Worldwide is proud to partner with BCoB to enhance our mission of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality across Nepal.