Maternova obstetric kits are the graduation gift for newly minted graduates trained by Midwives for Haiti. Nadene Brunk, director of Midwives for Haiti reports that the newly trained skilled birth attendants are particularly excited about the colour scale anemia detection kit--allowing them a ready way to determine that a woman is anemic. In addition, the solar powered headlamps and rotary mobile phone chargers are so appreciated by the midwives because they not only provide light and power for clinical care but because they help protect the midwives themselves. As midwives work in remote rural areas or in refugee camps, having a link to safety via mobile phone, and having a light offers physical safety.

This is a photo of a Haitian midwife by the name of Bien Amie Guerlie. She is using parts of the Maternova obstetric pak--the solar powered headlamp and the WHO Colour Scale to detect anemia. Bien Amie was part of the first graduating class of midwives trained by Midwives for Haiti. The midwives are being trained for deployment in the area around Hinche in mobile clinics and in the local hospital. What has become clear is that the Maternova obstetric paks are both a clinical tool--but also an added safety kit for midwives who are traveling alone in remote areas.