More Confidence in Performance
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Alina Hovhannisyan, a community nurse in Haykavan—a rural community in Shirak Marz—was about to go to bed after her workday when she was rushed to Mariam Harutyunyan’s home. Mariam was in her late stage of pregnancy, but she had still two more weeks to go. Some pregnant women from Haykavan prefer to spend the last month of their pregnancy in Gyumri, 12 km away, where the nearest maternity hospital is, so that they can reach the facility easily in time for delivery. The terrible condition of roads makes the traveling difficult and seems like a nightmare for women in labor. But Mariam, like most women—especially those with children—stayed in Haykavan with her family waiting for the signs of labor.
That night in April, Alina attended Mariam and realized that Mariam’s labor was progressing rapidly and she would unlikely manage to reach the hospital for delivery. Since home births are not permitted in Armenia, she followed the protocol and immediately called for an ambulance from the Gyumri maternity hospital. Help was on its way; however, Mariam’s labor was faster than the ambulance. Alina did not hesitate further and started to provide obstetric care.
This was Alina’s second experience with childbirth. However, Alina was very confident. She was sure of what to do and how it should be done because Project NOVA’s nurse training on Safe Motherhood Clinical Skills had prepared her and given her new knowledge and skills in maternal and child care.
She gathered all the necessary supplies and medications from the health post and assisted Mariam in giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, Anahit. Alina did everything according to NOVA’s training: conducted oxytocine injection to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, checked the placenta, and assessed the mother and the newborn. Finally, she sighed with relief, satisfied with her work. When the ambulance arrived, the doctor examined the mother and baby and had nothing else to do but to praise Alina for a job well done.
Little Anahit is now 20 months old, a cheerful and pretty child surrounded with love and care. She receives the necessary health care in her community. Mariam’s family greatly appreciates both Alina’s professional and personal characteristics. “Knowledgeable and skillful, she is committed to her work and is ready to provide health care for any situation,” noted Mariam’s mother-in-law.
In addition to working with NOVA on the Safe Motherhood Clinical Skills training, the Haykavan community was involved in NOVA’s Community Partnership for Health initiative three years ago through which its health post was renovated, equipped and furnished. It is now maintained by the supervisory health facility and the village mayor’s office. The community nurses are happy to work in such conditions equipped with necessary supplies and the best equipment— knowledge and life-saving skills
