A training workshop on the Perinatal Information System is expected to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in gathering data on pregnant women and newborns.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, said this system is extremely important as it will assist with enhancing the quality of maternal and child health services at the various health facilities.

“This system aims to further improve the way we monitor pregnant women,’ she said. “With this system it will be very easy for us to see whether a woman has missed visits during pregnancy or whether better investigations have been requested. We will be able to see whether a woman is high risk to ensure that the women are receiving the appropriate care.”

Assistant Principal Nursing Officer Tecla Jn. Baptiste, said she is very pleased with the system and believes it is an effective tool for monitoring mother and newborn health.

“This system will provide uniformity across the board as it relates to data collection when mothers and newborns receive health care in the primary health care centers and also in the hospitals,” she said. “The perinatal information system will contribute to better monitoring and improve the quality and outcome of maternal and child care in Saint Lucia.”

The workshop on the perinatal information system was facilitated by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development (CLAP).