International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)

Welcome to the website of the
International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)

The International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)

The International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health - IAMANEH was founded in June 1977 in Geneva. It is incorporated under Swiss law as a non-governmental, non-profitmaking organization with the purpose of improving maternal and neonatal health throughout the world. It is a federation of national associations from all regions, which share the same purpose. The working languages are French and English.

BACKGROUND

Great progress has been made in maternal and neonatal health in industrialized countries since the 1930s. Maternal death rates were reduced to a twentieth of their former level while perinatal mortality rates also decreased correspondingly. However, such dramatic improvements were not seen in most developing countries. This inequality was the main reason why Hubert de Watteville, who had been one of the founders and first secretary general of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), founded IAMANEH in 1977. It was intended that each national society would work for maternal and neonatal health in its own country, while high-income countries would help poor countries. The development of the Safe Motherhood Initiative since 1985, a year after Hubert de Watteville's death, would have greatly pleased him for it has promoted a wider understanding of the magnitude and causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity; and has secured from governments and international agencies promises and commitments which were notably absent at the time when IAMANEH was founded. Since the objectives of the Safe Motherhood Initiative are included in those of IAMANEH, the Association can be regarded as the only international non-government organization dedicated to the goals of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.

AIMS

With the ever-widening disparity in maternal and perinatal mortality rates between rich and poor communities, the need for closer co-operation between countries has never been so great. Not only do health care providers in poor countries require financial support, but help with professional training, appropriate technology, suitable management protocols and operational research is urgently required. With the use of the Internet and other lines of communication, many of these needs can now be easily met, given the will and commitment of individuals. This is where the great potential benefit of IAMANEH lies; networking between groups and individuals to share ideas and experience.
It is widely recognized that most causes of maternal and perinatal mortality can be prevented with cheap, good, basic care. A clear understanding of common problems, the prevention and correct management of important complications, the provision of practical management protocols, a short list of essential drugs, and robust, simple equipment are both available and affordable. What is lacking is the ability to link those who ask for assistance with those who can supply the requested knowledge and support. Often personal dialogue through non-government agencies is faster and more efficient at problem solving than formal state contacts.
IAMANEH is ideally places to provide a bridge between groups of health care workers in many poor countries and, furthermore, to connect them with better resourced colleagues in industrialized nations. Self-help training packages and distance learning courses in practical and appropriate maternal and perinatal care could be shared at minimal cost.
Specific problems can be resolved by Internet communication while unsolved technical and protocol difficulties could pose research challenges for academic centres. IAMANEH has the committed members and good will to make a difference and improve the care of pregnant women and infants in many poor countries.

STRUCTURE

IAMANEH's governing body is the General Assembly, which consists of representatives from all its member countries (national sections). The General Assembly meets every three years at the same time and place as IAMANEH's triennial International Conference on Maternal and Neonatal Health.
A sub-committee of the General Assembly, the Executive board of nine members, meets every year. Major decisions which are taken by the Executive Board in years in which there is no General Assembly are circulated to all National Sections for approval.
The Executive Board of IAMANEH is constituted as follows: president, first vice-president, second vice-president, secretary general, treasurer, and two to four additional members who are chosen as representatives of a region.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The main educational activity of IAMANEH has been the international congresses, which are held in a developing country every three years.
Between 1991 and 2003 IAMANEH has helped convene eight international conferences on maternal and neonatal health in the Philippines, Tunisia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa and Malaysia.
While the conferences are the largest single educational effort of IAMANEH, over each three year period they are exceeded in total attendance, and probably in impact, by the many large or small local, regional and national meetings, seminars and symposia which National Sections of IAMANEH organize. Often there is collaboration between National Sections of IAMANEH and WHO, UNFPA and other international partners and colleagues.
Another educational activity in which IAMANEH is involved is the Postgraduate Course in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology.
Since 1997, IAMANEH has provided many scholarships to young doctors from poor countries so that they may attend the Course, which is organized by the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (GFMER), the World Health Organization (WHO), and IAMANEH. Professor Aldo Campana is the President of GFMER and also Secretary General of IAMANEH, which explains the close collaboration which exists between the two organizations. To date 56 participants from 21 countries have successfully attended the Course.
It is foreseen that many of the past participants of the Geneva course will be able to provide local scientific and management support and take on local training and research program responsibilities in their own countries. This will enable similar courses to be established in developing countries. In the first year these course will be held in five medical research institutions: Rosario in Argentina, Yaoundé in Cameroun, Shanghai in China, Targu Mures in Romania, and Jakarta in Indonesia. Further it is planned that the present English course will be translated in French.

STRATEGY

The vision of IAMANEH is to improve maternal and perinatal care in developing countries by facilitating contact and support between the many national health care organizations with which it is affiliated.
Representatives of these national organizations form the membership of IAMANEH.
It is hoped that many more national organizations, which have common goals in improving maternal and perinatal care, will join IAMANEH.
Anyone interested in creating a national section of IAMANEH in their country is invited to contact:

The Secretary General of IAMANEH
Route de Florissant 3
1206 GENEVA
Switzerland
Tel: 41-22-346 7716 Fax: 41-22-346 7834
E-mail: info@gfmer.org