Membership list

International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)

The International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health - IAMANEH was founded in June 1977, in Geneva, and is incorporated under Swiss law in that city. It is 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 in the five decades from 1930-s to the 1980’s. Maternal death rates especially were reduced to a twentieth of their former level, and perinatal mortality decreased correspondingly. However, such dramatic improvements were not seen in most of the developing countries. This unequal development 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, and also those in better off countries would help the others. 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 very much assisted the 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 the same as those of IAMANEH, the Association can be regarded as the only international federate non-government organization dedicated solely to fulfillment of 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. Both 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 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 and 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 resources 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 of all its members, held usually 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 as a whole are the international congresses, which are held every three years. Between 1991 and 2003 IAMANEH has helped convene eight international conferences on maternal and neonatal health in developing countries (Philippines, Tunisia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa and Malaysia).
The conferences are the largest single educational effort of IAMANEH, but over each three year period it is exceeded in total attendance and probably in impact by the many large or small regional, national and local meetings and seminars which National Sections of IAMANEH organize.
The conferences are the main but not the only occasion when collaboration and often sponsorship of WHO, UNFPA and other international partners and colleagues, is in particular evidence.
To these should be added not only meetings in which the IAMANEH National Section is sole organizer, but the many in which the section is partner. IAMANEH itself has participated in a number of symposia with its international partners.
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 the University of Geneva. 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 followed the course.
It is foreseen that the course will capitalize on already existing collaboration, some of whom have trained in Geneva and are key elements for the success of this project. They are able to provide adequate scientific and management support and take on local training and research program responsibilities. In its first year the course will be held in five medical research institutions: Rosario / Argentina, Yaoundé / Cameroun, Shanghai / China, Targu Mures / Romania, Jakarta / Indonesia.
Further it is planned that the course, which so far exists only in the English language ,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, who have common goals in improving maternal and perinatal care, will join IAMANEH.
Anyone interested to create a national section of IAMANEH in his/her country is invited to get in touch with:

Prof. Aldo CAMPANA
International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)
Chemin Edouard-Tavan 5
1206 Geneva - Switzerland

Text prepared by Gerda Santschi

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Edited by Aldo Campana,