PALTEX 

Celebrate! Midwifery Text Book Now in Spanish

Through its Expanded Textbook and Instructional Materials Program (PALTEX), a joint technical cooperation program with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the 4th edition of Varney’s Professional Midwifery is available in Spanish for the first time and is accessible to 550 learning centers in 20 Latin American countries. In 2006, the text book was launched on May 24th at PAHO. The launch was attended by the principal author, Dr. Helen Varney, co-authors Jan M. Kriebs and Carolyn L. Gegor; Dr. Margaret Marshall, Senior Advisor for MCH and Infectious Diseases in the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and former PAHEF board member; and other midwife professionals from throughout the Americas.

PAHEF’s director of communications thanked the team that pulled this book together and presented a signed copy of the text book to Dr. Marshall noting that “it is because of her perseverance and dedication to improving maternal and child health that we gather here today to celebrate this book’s launch.”

PAHEF's Ms. Dana Weckesser presents text book to USAID's Dr. Margaret Marshall. Photo source: PAHO/Waak

Dr. Marshall, a long-time advocate for a Spanish-language text book for midwifery, noted, “Having a Spanish edition of Varney’s Midwifery is a tremendous contribution to the education of midwives in the LAC region. This text promotes philosophy that birth is a normal process not a medical event. It leads the student from pre-conception care through post-partum care and family planning. Respect for the woman and her family, incorporation of their wishes, and active participation throughout is central. This text is based upon attainment of core competencies that make for a safe, competent provider. It is applicable for all cadres of health providers rendering maternity care to women and their families.”

Dr. Virginia Camacho, PAHO advisor on the regional initiative to reduce maternal mortality and technical reviewer of the Spanish version, said the book “is an important contribution to strengthened competencies of health professionals, especially midwives and obstetric nurses who attend women in pregnancy and birth and to improve the quality of care for mothers and children.”