Mauritania Hosts Regional Workshop to Enhance Clinical Mentorship

The Mauritanian Ministry of Health's Secretary General, Abd Salam Cheikh Saadbouh Cheikh Trarad, inaugurated the third regional workshop for clinical mentorship at the National School of Health Sciences in Nouakchott. The two-week workshop aims to strengthen cooperation and exchange of expertise in clinical mentorship among countries in the region. This effort seeks to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems and the quality of services, particularly in reproductive health, maternal and child care.

The workshop is part of Mauritania's efforts to enhance healthcare services and address pressing health challenges in the region. Secretary General Trarad welcomed participants, expressing satisfaction that Mauritania was chosen to host the event, which highlights the importance of collaboration and expertise sharing in addressing health challenges. He emphasized that building efficient healthcare systems is a shared responsibility among countries in the region and their partners.

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has prioritized improving living conditions, developing basic services, and ensuring equitable access to these services. The government, led by Prime Minister Moktار Ould Ajeib, is working to implement these priorities through policies and programs aimed at enhancing public services and upgrading service quality. The partnership between the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was also acknowledged, with the Fund providing technical support and backing national efforts in reproductive health and maternal and child care.

The Dean of the National School of Health Sciences, Ahmedou Armia, welcomed participants from various countries in the region. He noted that the workshop reflects the growing importance of training in clinical mentorship for midwives and its role in developing professional practices and upgrading healthcare services. This training is a response to pressing health challenges facing the African continent, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where maternal and newborn mortality rates remain significant concerns.

UNFPA Resident Representative in Mauritania, Olga Sankara, emphasized that the workshop represents a shared commitment to enhancing the capacities of healthcare professionals and contributing to sustainable improvements in healthcare quality for women and newborns. She noted that reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates remains a significant public health challenge in West and Central Africa and that this training opportunity will help strengthen expertise and develop professional competencies.

The workshop brings together participants from various countries in West and Central Africa, providing a platform for sharing experiences and expertise in clinical mentorship. The event is expected to contribute to improved healthcare services and outcomes in the region, particularly in areas with significant health disparities.

Key outcomes of the workshop are expected to include enhanced competencies of clinical mentors and supervisors, improved healthcare services, and strengthened cooperation among countries in the region. The Mauritanian government's commitment to improving healthcare services and the partnership with international organizations such as UNFPA are seen as crucial to achieving these goals.

Key points

• The workshop aims to enhance clinical mentorship competencies in West and Central Africa.
• The event is part of efforts to improve healthcare services and address pressing health challenges in the region.
• The partnership between the Mauritanian Ministry of Health and UNFPA supports national efforts in reproductive health and maternal and child care.