PEMNeT represents a collaborative, culturally sensitive approach to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes across the Pacific. The programme is a vital PSRH initiative aimed at strengthening obstetric emergency skills and teamwork among maternity care providers in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It was developed in 2015 to address gaps in continuing professional development for the maternity workforce, ensuring that teams remain well-prepared to handle emergencies effectively.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The subcommittee benefits from the leadership of:
Programme Director and Co-chairperson: Dr. Sharron Bolitho
Board Representative and Co-chairperson: Dr. Rebecca Mitchell
A Memorandum of Understanding between the PSRH Board and the PROMPT (Practical Obstetric Multi Professional Training) Maternity Foundation in 2023 has formalised and strengthened our longstanding educational partnership. The MoU allows for access and adaptation of PROMPT’s evidence based training resources for Pacific needs.
Collaboration with Simulation for Midwifery Innovation Learning and Education (Pacific SMILE) programme. PEMNeT is the multiprofessional obstetric emergency programme chosen by the Pacific SMILE team for their new simulation laboratories being established from 2024 in seven Pacific universities and schools of nursing and midwifery.
PEMNeT Overview
Key Features of PEMNeT
1. Locally suitable In-Service Training: The programme offers annual updates to refresh and enhance emergency clinical skills and team collaboration, aligning with evidence-based practices.
2. Sustainability Through Local Leadership: Facilitator Training Workshops empower in-country trainers, fostering sustainable, country-led training programmes.
3. Tailored Approach: The curriculum is specifically adapted to the Pacific context, incorporating feedback from local participants and educators.
4. Collaboration with PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT) Global: A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established in 2023 grants PSRH access to PROMPT Global’s evidence-based training materials, allowing their adaptation to Pacific needs.
Impact and Evidence
The PEMNeT programme is modeled on the PROMPT Foundation’s approach, which has shown measurable reductions in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality when conducted annually. This evidence underscores the effectiveness and value of such training programs.
Current Reach and Future Plans
PEMNeT has been successfully implemented in Kiribati, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu, with plans to expand to two additional Pacific Island Countries in 2026.
How to Bring PEMNeT to Your Country
1. Engage Stakeholders: Gather support from local healthcare leaders, policymakers, and facilities to ensure the programme aligns with national healthcare priorities.
2. Write PEMNeT into your strategy plan: To ensure sustainable funding the PEMNeT Programme needs to be written into you MOH/Hospital/MPDSR plans.
3. Plan for Sustainability: PEMNeT programme is designed for you to run PEMNeT as annual inservice. Plan for ongoing implementation as well as initial rollout. An in-country Local Facilitator Training Workshop helps to achieve this.
4. Fill out the PEMNeT Request Form: Simply download the fillable form and once completed send it to the PSRH secretariat info@psrh.org.nz. The form can be downloaded here.
Please note: it is very important that the endorsement section of the request form is filled out
5. PSRH will negotiate support: PSRH secretariat now works in partnership directly with our funders to arrange support on your behalf. After funding is secured your course will be confirmed. Our current funders include Pasifika Medical Association (NZMTS), The Pacific Community (SPC) and UNFPA. We have previously been supported by Send Hope not Flowers, Counties Manukau Health (NZMTS) and Health Specialists Limited (NZMTS).
How to Get Involved
PEMNeT thrives on collaboration, and there are many ways to contribute to this critical work:
1. Join the Faculty Team:
Join your Local Facilitator Team. Pacific based healthcare professionals with expertise in maternal and neonatal care are encouraged to apply to their PEMNeT/PSRH In Country Coordinators(PICC) to become Local Facilitators
2. Partner With Us:
Organisations interested in supporting maternal and neonatal health in the Pacific can partner with PSRH to extend the programmes reach and impact.
3. Volunteer Your Expertise:
Volunteer Your Expertise: Skilled clinicians, educators, and researchers, can offer time and resources, to support individual country programmes in a PEMNeT External Country coordinator (PECC) role and/or to support the admin/ logistics, research and evaluation work of the PEMNeT Subcommittee.
4. Contribute Financially:
Donations and grants help sustain PEMNeT’s programmes, covering training materials, travel costs, and local capacity-building initiatives.
