4. RESOURCES
This section provides a list of all the different types of resources required to implement the NPM programme, including human, financial and infrastructure.
4a. Human Resources There are several types of human resources required to implement the NPM programme. They include the following: 4ai. International Midwifery Educators (IMEs) IMEs are essential to the NPM programme, as they are instrumental in teaching midwifery to the candidates. While we hope to reduce dependence on them gradually over time, their role is central to the success of the NPM Programme, as they are the primary teachers, who instil values, share knowledge and teach skills in providing high-quality maternity care.
The expected number of IMEs as per the guidelines is six, but it is extremely difficult to get any one IME to commit to a period of two to three years. So over time, each NMTI hires as many IMEs as possible, because retention is dependent on both budget and willingness of the midwife.
The following are steps in hiring an IME:
Create a JD for the IME position (attached below)
Interview rounds and reference collection
Documents to collect from the IME candidate:
- Updated CV
- Education certificates
- Home-country registration certificates
- Duly signed offer letter
- Copies of passport and visa
- Permits – FRRO, INC & State Nursing Counsel
4aii. NPM Candidates The NPM guidelines has laid out the eligibility criteria and selection process for candidates who can apply to be National Midwifery Educators (NMEs).
The eligibility criteria for NMEs are:
MSc. in Nursing from a recognised institute with 2 to 5 years of experience in providing maternity care or a relevant field.
BSc. in Nursing from a recognised institute with 5 years of experience in providing maternity care or a relevant field.
The eligibility criteria for NPMs are:
BSc. in Nursing from a recognised institute with 2 to 5 years of experience in providing maternity care or a relevant field.
GNM from a recognised institute with 5 years of experience in providing maternity care or a relevant field.
The following are steps in selecting candidates for the NPM programme:
Administrating a multiple-choice questions’ paper to all candidates.
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) across four stations that are relevant to maternity care
Oral interview
Once the NME candidates have been selected, it is essential to build bridges with their parent facility, so that when they come back after the training at NMTI, they will be allowed to work as midwives and not go back to their previous role.
4aiii. Programme Implementation Team Having a skilled and experienced programme implementation team is critical, as they do all the heavy-weight, invisible work. A minimum of three people are required:
Programme Coordinator
Programme Manager
Programme Director
4b. Financial Resources The Financial Guidelines (attached below) published by GoI, is to ensure that the Midwifery Initiative's budget disbursement, accounting, utilization, and reporting are consistent across all states and territories, in accordance with NHM standards and procedures. The GoI created this document, distributed it to all states, and requested that they prepare a budget under the respective state's National Health Mission (NHM) Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) for every year.
The Karnataka story… Budget allocation for the NPM programme from the Department of Health, GoK:
Cost of training NMEs - includes travel, daily allowance, honorarium, accommodation and food.
Programme and logistics support throughout the duration of the course at the NMTI and SMTI sites as approved under NHM.
Budget allocation for the NPM Programme from Aastrika Foundation:
Cost of IMEs – includes salary, travel (international and domestic), FRRO registration costs at actuals, stay and medical insurance.
Cost of implementing the programme – salaries for the implementation team, equipment for the MLCU and classroom.
In order to set up the Midwifery Lead Care Unit (MLCU) at Vanivilas Hospital, GoI requested UNICEF and Aastrika Foundation to extend support. With these funds we were able to cover costs for renovation, and purchase of essential equipment.
4c. Infrastructure There is a structured needs assessment form that has been rolled out with the NPM programme, which needs to be filled before choosing a specific NMTI / SMTI site (attached below). Once the gaps have been identified and filled (generally by the implementation partner or donor organisation), the NMTI / SMTI is deemed fit to start the programme.
4ci. Classroom, Library and Skill Lab As per the guidelines, all these infrastructure items are supposed to be given by the College of Nursing (Medical Education Department). So, while doing the needs assessment, we need to ensure these facilities are available.
In Karnataka, the College of Nursing has been a slow partner, and have started opening their doors to the NPM programme only recently. This can be for a number of reasons, such as lack of availability and sub-optimal quality of rooms, furniture, books, etc.
4cii. MLCU The GoI has developed guidelines on how to set up and run an MLCU and the implementation partners are expected to follow the same (attached below).
4d. Curriculum GoI has developed curriculum with help from INC for both Educators as well as Practitioners (attached below). While the educators are expected to complete the theory section in six months, the Practitioners have twelve months to do the same.
Last updated
Was this helpful?