“In charting the future course for WOtW's work with healthcare professionals and the community, several key strategies emerge as pivotal. The organization will place a strong emphasis on bolstering the capabilities of health workers, aiming to make a remarkable impact and motivate the workforce. Enhancing supply chain management for critical medical equipment, such as resuscitation machines, BP monitors, and personal protective gear, will be a priority. Building strong linkages between healthcare facilities, the district, and the local community is also on the agenda, fostering collaboration and information sharing. Additionally, WOtW will provide technical guidance to healthcare professionals and establish training programs for trainers within the district. Lastly, addressing equipment shortages in the 26 facilities in Gulu will be tackled with innovative approaches. These efforts collectively strive to ensure that health workers and communities receive the essential support they require in the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality.”

Diploma Midwife at Patiko Health Centre III; Master Midwife for WOtW

Also identified as a trainer over a decade ago, Susan feels that her previous work with STEP-UP has greatly improved her teaching ability and capacity, noting confidence “in teaching and mentoring fellow health care providers, proud to see them understand and do the right thing at their respective workplaces. I feel so honored when they ring me and say, ‘I had this complication,’ (e.g asphyxia or post-partum hemorrhage) and I managed it successfully with the knowledge and skills you gave us during the trainings.’”
“My colleagues/ fellow health care providers have always been appreciative because with the frequent trainings and mentorship, they feel they have not been left alone! There is continuous support in service delivery seen in equipping them with skills and even the equipment to use. Midwives feel so proud when a mother and a baby walk out of the hospital healthy and happy,” noting that the training over the years has made work easier.
“The number of newborn deaths has been reduced and the community is fully oriented and convinced that the health workers who handle them have the skills.” This increased trust in the government health care system has resulted in an increase of the number of deliveries in the health centers, (rather than at home) a factor known to favorably impact maternal and infant outcomes. She hopes that in the future WOtW will include community dialogue focused on strengthening male involvement in maternal/child health.

Richard has been part of the Gulu District government health care system since 2019 and has worked with STEP-UP since February 2020. His subsequent involvement with medical training made him realize that “STEP-UP is creating an impact in the quality of care for the mothers and the newborns in the district. Very clear and user-friendly charts were provided to all the health facilities to guide care during labor and birth. The training methodology was quite precise and the trainers were really great!”
He looks forward to his new role in training, noting that it is his “obligation to make every health worker capable of offering the best to the mother and newborn.” He is also excited to be helping WOtW have access to data that will inform their progress. “This, right from the name is an amazing endeavor to support the mothers and the newborns.”
Richard has great hope that the US WOtW team will get funding to continue to support their work, noting that there must be clear accountability “for every single dollar invested in WOtW support.”