Bissau, Guinea-Bissau – A crucial evaluation mission aimed at bolstering the technical, pedagogical, and supervisory capacities of the National Health School (ENS) and key midwifery training centres in Guinea-Bissau successfully concluded on April 25, 2025. This initiative, a core component of the Health System Strengthening Project financed by the Global Fund and implemented by UNFPA Guinea-Bissau, marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality of health professional training in the country, particularly in maternal, neonatal, and child health.
The mission, which commenced on April 2, brought together national stakeholders and two dedicated consultants to meticulously assess the current capabilities of these vital training institutions. The overarching goal was to prepare the ENS and midwifery centres for formal accreditation processes, aligning their standards with the internationally recognized benchmarks set by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This alignment is critical for ensuring that graduates possess the necessary competencies to deliver high-quality care, ultimately contributing to the reduction of preventable maternal and child deaths.
The comprehensive assessment delved into various critical areas, including the technical infrastructure and reception capacities of the institutions, the adequacy of human resources, the integration and effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for e-learning, and the quality of governance and institutional management. Furthermore, the mission evaluated the criteria used for selecting practical training sites, a key element in bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world clinical experience. Based on these findings, the mission developed a set of targeted recommendations and a practical improvement plan to guide the institutions in addressing identified gaps and challenges.
A pivotal moment of the mission was the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) workshop held at the ENS from April 22 to 24. This participatory workshop facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the health training landscape in Guinea-Bissau, allowing stakeholders to collectively identify existing challenges and explore potential opportunities for growth and development.
The mission culminated in a restitution session held on April 25, where the detailed findings, recommendations, and the proposed improvement plan were presented to representatives from the National Health School, the midwifery training centres, and the United Nations Population Fund.
This evaluation mission is part of a broader, ongoing regional effort launched in 2013 to elevate midwifery training standards across West Africa. By investing in the capacity of training institutions and aligning them with international standards, UNFPA and its partners are working to cultivate a highly skilled and competent health workforce, essential for accelerating progress towards reducing maternal and child mortality and building a more resilient health system in Guinea-Bissau and the wider region. The successful conclusion of this mission represents a vital stride in this collective commitment.
