Maternal and Women’s Health DVD

This is a DVD. Focal surgery to improve Maternal Health – A DVD with 5 films Maternal Health Care/Delivery Care has seriously lagged behind other sectors in showing health improvement. In fact in many low-income-countries Maternal Health has declined over the last 20 years. One important barrier to improvement at this level is the lack of surgical skills to deal with life-threatening situations. In this DVD there are 5 films on new or improved surgical operations that can save lives and improve the quality of health of many women and children. The films are as follows: 1. The new Misgav Ladach method for Caesarean section developed by Michael Stark is based on two important principles: surgical minimalism and working in harmony with the body’s anatomy and physiology and not against them. Opening up to the baby is done with the least tissue damage. After removing the baby only 3 layers are sutured including two mattress sutures only for the skin. 2. Stark’s method for abdominal hysterectomy uses the same principles for opening and closing the abdomen. 3 and 4. The two methods for Fistula repair developed by Catherine and Reginald Hamlin in Addis Ababa, the one for a simpler and the other for a more advanced fistula, comprise strengthening the repair with 4 layers of tissue including the Martius graft augmenting the blood supply to the area. 5. Symphysiotomy as an alternative to most cases needing Caesarean section has enjoyed a renaissance with WHO’s blessing after a meta-analysis of 5500 cases showed how safe and gentle the method is with tissues with low mobidity including long-term follow-up. Gunnar Holmgren, Senior Consultant Physician, The Academy for Research and Development,