Thu | Feb 5, 2026

Andrews Hospital leads vital training to safeguard maternal health in Jamaica

Published:Monday | June 2, 2025 | 12:09 AM
 Nurse Sophia Lindo from Victoria Jubilee Hospital participates in a simulation exercise as part of the Obstetrics Patient Safety workshop, while (from left) Matthew Medina, midwife and director on the National Board of Directors, Association of Women’s
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 Nurse Sophia Lindo from Victoria Jubilee Hospital participates in a simulation exercise as part of the Obstetrics Patient Safety workshop, while (from left) Matthew Medina, midwife and director on the National Board of Directors, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; Dr Kandis McLean, professor of maternal health simulation at Nassau Community College; Dr Lisa Henry, director of nursing at Andrews Memorial Hospital Ltd; Katrina Johnson, obstetrics and neonatal nurse; and Ashley Rainey, clinical director for women, Children and Families at the Commission of Indianapolis, Indiana Department of Health, observe the session.

May is widely recognised as a time to celebrate women, especially mothers, in acknowledgement of the profound responsibility of bringing life into the world. It also highlights the critical importance of women’s health as the foundation for safe pregnancies and strong families. Fittingly, May 28 was observed as International Day of Action for Women’s Health and, earlier, on April 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) reinforced this focus with the theme ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’.

In alignment with this mission, Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited (AMH) partnered with a team of four health professionals from the United States-based Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) to host a two-day simulation workshop in April. The training focused on Obstetrics Patient Safety and aimed to equip nurses with the critical skills required to improve long-term outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

Thirty-one nurses and midwives from AMH and public hospitals across Jamaica participated in the workshop, gaining hands-on experience in managing high-risk scenarios and emergency obstetric care.

Donmayne Gyles, president and CEO of AMH, welcomed participants and underscored the urgency of such training, in light of Jamaica’s rising maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Citing WHO statistics, Gyles noted that Jamaica’s MMR rose from 93 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 98.9 in 2020 – a 19.1 per cent increase. By 2023, the figure had surged to 130 deaths per 100,000, surpassing the regional average. This trend places Jamaica far from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of reducing the MMR to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Gyles expressed the view that, as a private hospital, AMH will continue to play a vital role in reducing maternal deaths by ensuring its nurses remain expertly trained.

Ashley Rainey, clinical director for Women, Children and Families at the Commission of Indianapolis, noted the broader focus of AWHONN training.

“When people think of AWHONN, they often think only of labour and delivery. However, it’s essential to understand that women’s health, before, during, and after pregnancy, is crucial. We need women to be in optimal health before becoming pregnant, to reduce risks to both mother and child.”

Rainey stressed the importance of addressing pre-existing conditions – such as untreated hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, or mental health challenges – before conception.

“AWHONN promotes a holistic view of women’s health, considering not just the obstetric period, but also the emotional and family well-being of the mother and child.”

Addressing Contributing Factors

The urgency of these initiatives is underscored by WHO, indicating the reality that many maternal deaths are preventable. In numerous cases, timely access to trained professionals, adequate facilities, and team-based responses could have meant the difference between life and death.

“This is why training like this is so crucial,” said Dr Kandis McLean, professor of maternal health simulation at Nassau Community College in New York. “Common emergencies like postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse, and uterine rupture require a team-based response.”

She emphasised that preparedness is key.

“We don’t expect nurses to manage cardiac arrests or deteriorating patients alone. Teamwork saves lives. Every delivery has the potential to become life-threatening, and we must be ready. Even in cases with low survival rates, our goal is to give mothers every fighting chance. If we save one, we save a million.”

Respectful Maternity Care

The WHO has also highlighted several troubling issues, including disrespect and abuse during childbirth, which can discourage women from seeking facility-based care.

Dr Lisa Henry, director of nursing at AMH, addressed the impact of implicit bias on patient outcomes.

“While racial discrimination may not be as visible in Jamaica as in other countries, ageism and classism remain deeply rooted in our healthcare system. For instance, a pregnant 14-year-old may face silent judgement from healthcare providers. Similarly, a woman from a lower socio-economic background expecting her eighth child is often stigmatised or looked down upon. These biases, though sometimes subtle, can result in delayed care, unequal treatment, and ultimately poorer health outcomes.”

Henry affirmed AMH’s commitment to becoming a high-reliability healthcare organisation.

“We are aligning our protocols and diagnostic practices to ensure that every woman receives appropriate screening and care before giving birth.”

Matthew Medina, a member of AWHONN’s board of directors and midwife, likened implicit bias to “lint on clothing – something we must be vigilant to identify and remove.” He added that AWHONN promotes a care paradigm of respectful maternity care.