Formation of socity of midwives in india
The idea of starting a Society of Midwives in India took shape towards the end of the Safe Motherhood Decade. In India, midwifery existed alongside nursing, and was not perceived as a separate profession either during training or practice, though evidences showed that one of the main factors contributing to reduction of MMR in many countries was the efficient use of midwives. During this period Dr. M. Prakasamma was involved with several research, training and intervention projects on maternal health including training of ANMs and TBAs which strengthened her conviction that safe motherhood can be achieved only of skilled midwives attended every pregnant woman during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal periods. Dr. M. Prakasamma discussed these within the Country and during her presentations at the FIGO World Congress at Copenhagen (1997), Inter Agency Group’s Safe Motherhood Consultation at Colombo (1997), ICM Regional meeting in Delhi ( February 1998), and 25th ICM Congress at Manila (1999). Discussion were head with interested nurses and a Midwifery Group was started (February, 1998) at the Academy for Nursing Studies ( ANS) in Hyderabad.
The launching of the Indian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery in May 1998 (International Year of Safe Motherhood) provided a medium for expression and exchange among interested professional. The Midwifery Group helped to put together a special issue of the IJNM in December 1998 with focus on midwifery. Through the journal, an invitation was sent to nurse-midwives in the Country to join the proposed Society of Midwives. Letters expressing eagerness to join the Group started arriving. By common consensus an Executive body consisting of Dr. M. Prakasamma, Bandana Bhattacharya, Champa Dutta, Alamelu Raman and Ameena Begum was formed (Later Ameena expressed inability to continue and Mrs. Padma was nominated in her place). The Academy for Nursing Studies provided space and support, and initiated the proves of registering the Society.
An advertisement was given in the third issue of IJNM in December, 1998, inviting interested nurses to jointhe new organization.
Society of Indian Midwives
Being conscious of the crucial role that skilled midwives play in providing safe motherhood services and reducing maternal mortality, a few senior nurses in India, forged themselves into “The Midwifery Group”. The midwifery Group has started advocacy, information dissemination, and networking for strengthening midwifery services in the country with the goal of leading women in childbirth towards safe motherhood. With this ambitious goal, it has been decided to start a Society of Indian Midwives. All nurses who have an interest in midwifery either because they are working in this area or because of higher qualifications in this field are invited to join the Society of Indian Midwives. The objective of this Society is to form a focus group on midwifery to discuss and deliberate on midwifery issues and to collaborate with national and international agencies working in the area of midwifery for safe motherhood.
With financial support from UNICEF, Dr. M. Prakasamma, Mrs. Bhattacharya and Ms. Onila Salins participated in the 25th ICM Congress in Manila. The IJNM started a one-page newsletter on the front inner cover to disseminate news about the progress of the Society. Five such newsletters were released communicating latest development related to membership and activities. As interest among nurses grew and number of members increased, The Academy for Nursing Studies requested UNICEF to support a meeting of key nurse midwives and members of the Midwifery Group. This meeting was held at UNICEF, New Delhi on 24th March 2000 with 15 midwives and representatives from national and international agencies. The Executive Body was formally elected and the Academy for Nursing Studies was selected as Headquarter. The Society was registered on 22nd November,2000 with the Registrars of Society, A.P. with Reg. NO 9701/2000
Since then, The Society has been growing in membership, focus of work, advocacy and support to individual midwives.
Governing Council:
The Governing Council shall consist of a minimum of five members who are reputed individuals committed to women’s health, equity and rights, reducing maternal and newborn deaths and overall improving quality of health. The individuals need not to be members of the Society or registered midwives. The Governing Council will steer the Executive in implementing interventions towards achieving the goals of the Society and will also provide leadership and vision. The Governing Council will also approve major changes in direction during the midyear so that the interventions are not held up. These decisions will be ratified by the General Body during the subsequent AGBM. The members of the Governing Council will guide the Society in their advisory role to the General Body. However they shall not be part of the Executive Board of the Society or its Chapters or Units. The Governing Council will meet once a year immediately following an Executive Meeting but not during the Conference. The term is for five years for each member with provision for second term.
Name & Photos
Mrs. Bandana Bhattacharya
Dr. M. Prakasamma
Ms. Bandana Das
Retd Lt. Col . (Mrs.) Manonmani Venkat
Membership to the Governing Council:
The Founder President and Founder General Secretary will be lifetime or voluntary members of the Governing Council. One representative from the General body shall be on the Governing Council. The member shall be selected on rotation from each Chapter starting with the Chapter with highest membership. The membership shall rotate once a year in the interest of giving opportunity to Chapters to take part in regular governance and decision making. Two individuals will be nominated by the Executive Body – one member form allied and one member from the field of equity and rights. Patrons of SOMI may be members of the Governing Council.
General Body:
The General Body consists of all members, associate members and member institutions of the Society. The General body meets once a year or when a national conference is held. General Body will meet during the third quarter of the year. The General Body is primarily responsible for:
- Passing budgets for ensuing year and approving expenditure of the previous year.
- Approving the Activity Plan for forthcoming period – annual, three year, five year periods.
- Ratifying decisions of the Executive Body that have been approved the Governing Council
- Electing the Executive Body once in four years
- Approving nominations to the Governing Council once in five years
- Appointing Auditor
- Approving amendments, new bodies and other major Changes
Organizational Structure:
The Administrative functions of SOMI are performed by three bodies: General Body, Governing Council and Executive Body. The Secretariat based in Hyderabad, consisting of technical and management staff implements the activities f the Society.
Note:
Since ANSWERS launched SOMI and supported it technically and financially for the first 15years it was decided that a representative of ANSWERS would manage accounts auditing and financial transactions till SOMI was self-supporting. Since Headquarter located in Hyderabad SOMI account is lashed within the city it is appropriate to have one person who will continue to operate the account.
