After many months of negotiation a midwifery course entirely supported by IDEALS began in early April 2009. In FATA one in ten children die in infancy (UK=1/200) and one in two hundred mothers die in pregnancy or childbirth (UK=1/8,000). Current midwifery services are almost non existent.
Fifteen young women mainly from the Khyber Agency and other border regions began a study course in Peshawar. The young women will, on completion of the twenty month course, become fully certificated midwives and will return to their home areas to practice. During their time living and studying in Peshawar all support will be provided by IDEALS.
Once again we have worked in close collaboration with CAMP and it is hoped that further funds will be available to expand this project across FATA.
