Intel, UNFPA partner to train health workers in Ghana, India, Bangladesh
In an effort to combat the high rate of pregnancy related deaths, Intel Corporation and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have announced a joint venture to strengthen the skills of midwives and community health workers through technology and training materials.
This was contained in a statement issued to the GNA on Tuesday, adding that the new initiative would increase the capacity of health workers in the world through the provision of software and technical assistance by Intel and the availability of high quality education through training and materials furnished by UNFPA.
The programme which would begin on pilot basis in countries with high rates of maternal and infant mortality is expected to include hard hit areas like India, Bangladesh and Ghana.
The statement said under the initiative, Intel would build on its commitment to the United Nations “Every Woman, Every Child” initiative to help train one million frontline health workers by 2015 under the Intel “1Mx15 Health” initiative.
It said yearly, about 360,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth while up to two million babies die within the first 24 hours of life, largely because they don’t have access to properly trained health workers.
The statement said as part of the initiative, the “Intel skoool™” Healthcare Education Platform would provide open access, multi-media content delivery and assessment platform which would further educate and train midwives and other frontline healthcare workers.
In addition, Intel would work with various governments to help increase the availability, affordability and usage of technology to enable healthy lives.
UNFPA, on the other hand would develop the content and training for health workers, together with relevant partners and professional organisations at country and international levels as well as engage national stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and multiplier effect of the programme.
“We are looking forward to working with UNFPA and improve training for healthcare workers via technology and education,” said Mike Gann, Director of Global Healthcare for the World Ahead Programme at Intel.
“By increasing the accessibility and affordability of ICT solutions, we would be able to equip the workforce with the correct tools to improve women and children’s health.”
“With this innovative collaboration, we are introducing game-changing technology into the hands of the people who are saving the lives of women and newborns around the world,” said Werner Haug, Director of UNFPA’s Technical Division.
“UNFPA is inspired by Intel’s commitment and we look forward to strengthening the work for safe motherhood,” he added.
Source: GNA