North Okanagan Women Empower Guatemalan Birth Attendants with Life‑Saving Training

Local Healthcare Professionals Spearhead Effort too reduce Maternal Mortality in Guatemala

Published February 10, 2026

A dedicated team of healthcare professionals from the North Okanagan region of British Columbia are working to dramatically improve maternal health outcomes in Guatemala, where access to vital medical care remains a notable challenge for many Indigenous women. The initiative, known as Safe Motherhood Project Guatemala, focuses on equipping conventional birth attendants, called Comadronas, with the skills needed to manage life-threatening complications during childbirth.

addressing a Critical Need

The project arose from a direct request by a committee of Comadronas concerned by the increasing number of deaths among young pregnant women. The primary causes of maternal mortality in Guatemala include hemorrhage, eclampsia, and infection – all conditions that can be effectively managed with proper training and resources. According to recent data from the World Health Institution, approximately 800 women die per 100,000 live births in Guatemala.

While Guatemala’s overall maternal mortality rate has seen improvements in recent decades, significant disparities exist. Indigenous Mayan women, notably those living in remote rural communities, face a disproportionately higher risk, with mortality rates three to five times greater than thier non-Indigenous counterparts. This is largely due to limited access to hospitals and qualified medical personnel.

Hands-On training for Frontline Caregivers

The Safe Motherhood Project Guatemala delivers a five-day, intensive, hands-on course tailored to the needs of Comadronas.The unique aspect of this training is its accessibility – participants do not require literacy skills to effectively learn and apply the life-saving techniques taught. The instructing team comprises:

• Ruth Brighouse, a Salmon Arm-based Doctor specializing in Women’s Reproductive Health.
• Annette Borkent, a Maternity Nurse from Salmon Arm.
• Birte Paschen,a Midwife from Vernon.
• Experienced Guatemalan professional midwives.

The program’s effectiveness is evidenced by positive feedback from both the Comadronas themselves and the Public Health Nurses who work alongside them, indicating a demonstrably positive impact on maternal and infant survival rates.

Fundraising Efforts to Expand Impact

To support the continuation and expansion of this crucial work, a unique fundraising event – the Pub olympics – is scheduled for Friday, february 20th, at all Saints’ Anglican Church in Vernon. Eight teams will compete in a series of traditional pub games, including bar skittles, shove ha’penny, cribbage, dominoes, and racing rabbits.

Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the opening ceremony commencing at 7:30 PM sharp. Registration is required, and teams can reserve their spot by emailing [email protected], indicating names of those wishing to join a team. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Pub Olympics Game breakdown

Game	Skills Required
bar Skittles	Accuracy, throwing technique
Shove Ha’penny	Precision, strategic aiming
Cribbage	Basic arithmetic, card strategy
dominoes	Simple addition, pattern recognition
Racing rabbits	Strategic Dice Rolling

Donations, with a minimum of $25 per person, will be gratefully accepted at the door via cash, cheque, e-transfer, or credit card. Funds collected will directly benefit the Safe Motherhood project through Rose Charities Canada, a registered charity that provides tax receipts for donations. Contributions can also be made online at safemotherhoodproject.org.

The challenges faced by mothers and babies in remote regions of Guatemala are ample, but the dedication of this team is making a tangible difference.

What role can community-based initiatives play in bridging healthcare gaps in underserved populations? And how can we collectively support organizations working to improve global maternal health?

Share this story to help raise awareness and support the Safe Motherhood Project Guatemala!

What impact has the North Okanagan women’s training program had on maternal health in rural Guatemala?

North Okanagan Women Empower Guatemalan Birth Attendants with Life‑Saving Training

The rugged beauty of the North Okanagan region in British Columbia, Canada, might seem worlds away from the rural communities of Guatemala. Yet, a powerful connection has been forged, driven by a group of dedicated women committed to improving maternal health outcomes in a region facing significant challenges. This initiative focuses on providing crucial training to traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Guatemala, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to safely manage pregnancy and childbirth.

The Maternal health Crisis in Guatemala

Guatemala consistently ranks among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in latin America. Several factors contribute to this alarming statistic:

* Limited access to Healthcare: Geographic barriers,particularly in remote indigenous communities,severely restrict access to qualified medical professionals.

* Poverty & Malnutrition: Socioeconomic disparities lead to poor nutrition during pregnancy,increasing the risk of complications.

* Cultural Practices: Traditional beliefs and practices surrounding childbirth can sometimes hinder access to or acceptance of modern medical care.

* Insufficiently Trained healthcare Workers: A shortage of skilled birth attendants, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates the problem.

Traditional birth attendants often serve as the first point of contact for pregnant women in these communities. While deeply respected and trusted, they frequently lack formal medical training, leaving mothers and newborns vulnerable.

The North Okanagan Initiative: A Collaborative Approach

Recognizing this critical need,a group of women from the North Okanagan,comprised of nurses,midwives,and passionate community members,began collaborating with Guatemalan organizations to address the gap in maternal healthcare. The core of their work revolves around intensive training programs for TBAs.

These programs aren’t simply about imparting medical knowledge; they’re about building capacity and fostering enduring change. Key components include:

1. Essential Obstetric Care: Training covers recognizing and managing obstetric emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, and obstructed labor.
2. Hygiene & Infection Control: Emphasis is placed on sterile techniques, handwashing, and preventing infections – a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality.
3. Newborn Resuscitation: TBAs learn life-saving techniques to resuscitate newborns who experience breathing difficulties at birth.
4. Antenatal & Postnatal care: The training includes guidance on providing essential care during pregnancy and after delivery, including nutritional counseling and family planning facts.
5. Referral Systems: Establishing clear pathways for referring high-risk pregnancies to hospitals and qualified medical personnel is a crucial element.

Impact and Benefits of the Training

The impact of this initiative is far-reaching.Empowered TBAs are now able to:

* Reduce Maternal & Neonatal Mortality: By identifying and managing complications, they substantially lower the risk of death during childbirth.

* Improve Birth Outcomes: Healthier mothers give birth to healthier babies.

* Increase Access to Care: TBAs extend healthcare access to remote communities where it’s most needed.

* Promote Safe Birthing Practices: They educate women and families about the importance of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and hygiene.

* Strengthen Community Health Systems: the initiative fosters collaboration between TBAs, healthcare professionals, and community leaders.

Real-world Examples: Stories from the Field

While specific individual stories are protected for privacy, reports consistently demonstrate the positive impact. For example, tbas trained through this program have successfully managed postpartum hemorrhage using techniques learned during the training, preventing possibly fatal blood loss. They’ve also been instrumental in identifying and referring women with pre-eclampsia, allowing for timely medical intervention.

One Guatemalan association partnering with the North Okanagan group reported a noticeable decrease in the number of emergency obstetric referrals from their region following the training of local TBAs. This suggests that the TBAs are becoming more adept at managing complications at the community level.

Sustainability and Future Goals

The North Okanagan women understand that lasting change requires a long-term commitment. Their efforts are focused on:

* Train-the-Trainer Programs: Developing local trainers to ensure the sustainability of the program.

* Providing Ongoing Support: Offering mentorship and continuing education opportunities for TBAs.

* Strengthening Referral Networks: Improving communication and collaboration between TBAs and hospitals.

* Advocacy for Maternal Health: Raising awareness about the challenges facing maternal health in Guatemala and advocating for increased resources.

this initiative exemplifies the power of international collaboration and the dedication of individuals committed to making a difference in the lives of women and families. By empowering Guatemalan birth attendants with life-saving training, the women of North Okanagan are contributing to a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.