SA to host midwives conference
2005-08-09 12:07
Johannesburg - South Africa will host the 29th triennial congress of the International Confederation Midwives (ICM) in Durban in 2011.
The Department of Health congratulated the Society of Midwives of South Africa (SMSA) on Tuesday for winning the bid to host the congress.
The winning country was recently announced at the ICM council meeting in Brisbane, Australia, said department spokesperson Solly Mabotha.
The ICM represents more than 85 member associations in 72 countries.
"South Africa competed and won against countries with equally impressive bids including Argentina and Canada.
"This means that Durban would play host to the next ICM congress in 2011, where approximately 1 700 representatives from around the world would be meeting to debate views on global midwifery and maternal and neonatal health issues," Mabotha said.
Mabotha said the health department would continue to lend its support in the build-up to the conference.
The society has also received international support and congratulations from the various organisations including Dr Monir Islam of the World Health Organisation's Safe Motherhood Initiatives.
The SMSA is South Africa's biggest professional association for midwives.
- SAPA