..............................................................................................................Our work

"No entry for relatives" Unfortunately notices like these can often be seen in Ukraine hospitals.	Our Activities
	The end of 2004 was filled not only with political activities in Ukraine, but also with numerous Project activities. From October 2004 to January 2005 we conducted the following activities: The Project began covering additional sites: 22 Antenatal clinics in Donetsk, maternities in Zhytomyr, Komsomolsk and Kirovograd. Project teams conducted need assessments in all our new sites. A prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (pMTCT) component was integrated into our work. Two Working Group meetings on the development of clinical protocols for neonatologists and obstetrician-gynecologists were conducted. Project specialists developed needs assessment forms for pMTCT which will be used in 3 regions of Ukraine: Crimea (Simferopol), Donetsk and Kiev. We conducted the following trainings: Infection control Effective perinatal technologies in Kiev Tutorial training in Donetsk Oblast Hospital Evidence-based medicine
Hearty welcome from Komsomolsk Town Head. Lutsk Clinical Maternity welcomes numerous guests from other regions who come to learn the best perinatal technologies. Training on breastfeeding conducted in Lutsk on January 24-28, 2005.	Site Visits A follow-up visit to Donetsk Oblast Hospital revealed that the medical staff of the obstetric department radically improved their skills on delivery management and newborn care. However, there are still some areas that can be improved: ensuring the appropriate temperature in the delivery and operation rooms. Special emphasis could also be made on improveing breastfeeding practices at the clinic.

	Kangaroo Mother Care Method (a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all newborns including skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding) becomes more and more popular.
	CHALLENGES The reluctance of medical personnel to change outdated obstetric practices remains one of the main challenges particularly in Lviv Oblast Hospital and Simferopol. However, preliminary agreements and trainings are leading to a better and clearer understanding of delivery management at these sites. Political activity in Ukraine at the end of 2004 impacted on the Project implementation plan. Some Project activities were postponed until 2005. A needs assessment in Donetsk Antenatal Clinic showed that changes are already happening in the 2 months since our training. For example, in one clinic, clients can now bring their compsanions for sntenstsl counseling and birth preparation classses, whereas before the compsnions would sit alone in the corridors waiting for their wives to be counseled.
	Planned activities Training on evidence based medicine in Zhytomyr, Simferopol and Kirovograd TOT on breastfeeding (training for trainers) Tutorial trainings in lviv and simferopol Working group meetings on the development of clinical protocols for neonatlologists, obstetrician-gynecologists and infectiologists Development of information materials ( posters “prevention of smoking and alcohol use among pregnant women” ) Needs assesment of antenatal clinics and hospital #6 in Donetsk pMTCT Needs assessment in 4 MIHP oblasts

.............................................................................................................................................back to the fresh news...

	Comments/Questions: Igor Vinokurov Behavior Change and Communications Advisor: Alexander Golubov
	A project managed by John Snow, Inc.
	Use of material within this publication is allowed with reference.