From early to mid-April 2025, Health[e]Foundation Project Manager Emma Donley and intern Matylda Sołkowska traveled to Aber, Northern Uganda, to support follow-up workshops for midwives participating in the MCH[e]Education program. They were joined by Edith Mukantwari—nutritionist, diabetes advocate, and health educator—who led an interactive presentation and facilitated a hands-on practical session during each workshop.
Over the past three months, 55 midwives enrolled in the MCH[e]Education program with the aim of completing six interactive e-learning modules, registering mothers and babies in the LUCY Care app, and using LUCY Care to provide essential maternal and child health information all while tracking appointments. Read more about the project in our previous news item here.
Hands-On Learning
Two workshop cohorts were hosted over four days at St. John XXIII Hospital Aber, and were officially opened with a warm welcome by Rev. Fr. Dr. Samuel Okori. Each cohort began with a practical training on Basic and Comprehensive Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC/CEmONC). Participants then joined a more traditional follow-up workshop session, including Edith’s keynote presentation, feedback moments through focus group discussions and surveys, and updates to the LUCY Care app. In addition to the group sessions, the team also visited six community health facilities to meet with individual midwives and gain deeper insights into their personal experiences of engaging in the e-learning and utilizing LUCY Care in their practice.
Successful Engagement
Fifty midwives successfully completed all components of the MCH[e]Education program; their dedication to both the project and their work was evident in every aspect of the follow-up. All participants proudly achieved a minimum post-test score of 81%. Active participation in practical sessions along with continued commitment to using the LUCY Care app further demonstrated strong motivation to continue to improve maternal and child health care in their communities. And finally, feedback collected during focus group discussions demonstrated the value and relevance of the MCH[e]Education program, as shown in the quotes below:
- “These e-learning made me to be current now. Because when you stay for long, doing service, sometimes you forget other things, but now it has made my mind be current now because I’ve been reading, reminding myself on what I’ve done long time. Now I’m fresh and I’m now becoming current in all that I’ve done.” – Midwife participant interview
- “The LUCY Care has helped a lot in following antenatal and postnatal mothers. Because before I started enrolling these mothers into LUCY Care, they used to miss the dates of appointments. But when I started following them, using the LUCY Care app, they are no longer missing that appointment.” – Midwife participant interview
Celebrating Success and Looking Forward
Each workshop concluded with a joyful celebration: every midwife successfully passed the MCH[e]Education course and received a certificate of completion. To further encourage ongoing learning, all participants received access to two additional modules, covering abnormal labor and complications before delivery, ensuring that education continues beyond the duration of the project.
We at Health[e]Foundation are deeply grateful to Rev. Fr. Dr. Samuel Okori, the hospital’s medical director, Sister Jenny Akongo, the acting nursing director, Sister Grace Adu, the senior assistant nursing officer, as well as other St. John XXIII Hospital Aber staff members who played a vital role in the workshop’s success. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners at Stichting Equator Medicare, whose steadfast support has been with the MCH[e]Education program since day one. Lastly, we sincerely thank Dioraphte for their generosity in making this project possible.