Dr Petronella Lunda, a maternal and neonatal expert from the North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Health Sciences, was elected as president of the Society of Midwives of South Africa (SOMSA) North West. Dr Lunda was honoured with this prestigious position at the 19th SOMSA Congress held at the OR Tambo Premier Hotel in Kempton Park from 13 to 14 August.
Dr Lunda will be president for three years and will also be a provincial representative on the SOMSA National Executive Committee. Her immediate focus will be connecting midwives through a dedicated WhatsApp network and finalising the provincial executive structure through voting.
According to Dr Lunda, the next step for SOMSA North West will be to develop a manifesto once the structures are in place. “All initiatives will be advanced through a consultative process to ensure inclusivity and meaningful impact across the province,” she stated.
Dr Lunda’s leadership and commitment reflect the dedication of the NWU to advancing maternal and neonatal health through research, education and compassionate care.
She stated her targeted objectives to revolutionise maternal care in North West.
“My aim is to host an annual online lecture series to share evidence-based practices, alongside biannual in-person workshops for midwives. Also to create opportunities for midwives to exchange ideas, celebrate successes and address challenges. These initiatives form the core of the efforts to equip midwives, enhance the quality of care and ensure safer, respectful and compassionate maternity services for women and newborns across the province.”
Respectful maternity care
At the congress, Dr Lunda delivered a presentation emphasising the vital role of respectful care in promoting safe, dignified and compassionate experiences for women seeking care in health facilities. This aligns with her vision of “high-quality care, rooted in research, education and compassion: advancing respectful maternal and neonatal care.”
During her presentation, Dr Lunda discussed issues that are local and global, shared evidence-based strategies and highlighted the advantages of respectful maternity care for mothers, newborn babies, medical professionals and health systems.
She highlighted how important it is to protect women’s rights, build confidence in medical professionals and incorporate considerate practices into everyday maternity care.
“Respectful maternity care is not only about safe childbirth but also about upholding dignity, fostering compassion and building trust. My goal is to inspire midwives and healthcare
professionals to champion a culture of empathy and excellence, ensuring that every woman’s experience of care is both clinically sound and emotionally affirming,” Dr Lunda added.
Society of Midwives of South Africa (SOMSA)
SOMSA is associated with the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). It desires to include and influence midwifery structures and other interested parties when it comes to education, rules and policies that affect midwifery practice.
SOMSA also helps with midwifery research while protecting the rights, interests and reputation of midwives.
Dr Petronella Lunda was elected as president of SOMSA North West. This honour is proof of her dedication to maternal and neonatal health and her ability to lead.
