The 6th Midwifery Students' Symposium was organized by Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Midwifery Department, within the scope of International Midwives' Day. The symposium, held with the theme 'The Place of Midwives in Family and Community Crises,' addressed topics such as crises and their effects, situations creating crises in family and community, and situations creating crises in local and global contexts.
The symposium, held at Üsküdar University NP Health Campus, Ibn-i Sina Auditorium, was met with great interest by students.
The opening speeches of the symposium were delivered by Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Güler Cimete, Head of the Midwifery Department, and Elif Çakır, a 4th-year Midwifery student and Symposium Student President.
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Midwifery is the foundation of many health branches”
Emphasizing that midwifery is a pioneering scientific field that forms the basis of many healthcare areas, Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated; “It is a beautiful event to see so many students, participants, guests, and our professors together. It fills one with pride and is clearly a topic of great importance. Midwifery is, in fact, one of the fundamental sciences that initiate many branches in the field of health sciences. For instance, the work of an obstetrician-gynecologist originates from midwives. Due to this characteristic, and the aspect of privacy involved, it is one of the professions most intertwined with society. Furthermore, midwifery has a legally granted authority in childbirth, which adds great privilege to it. Your profession is very valuable, very important, and you should cherish it greatly. You can witness the developmental process of a living being from a tiny black dot. And then you somehow facilitate its arrival into the world. This is a very fulfilling, enjoyable, and beautiful event for people. Not everything always goes smoothly; we learn to be patient over time.”
Prof. Dr. Güler Cimete: “Midwives will open a new era in preserving the world's health level”
Prof. Dr. Güler Cimete, speaking about the critical role midwives play in contributing to healthcare services, raising awareness, and developing policies during crises, stated; “A large part of the success belongs to you, and I am confident that we will overcome today with pride. I believe that you will raise awareness by conveying the very significant, crisis-creating problems you have undertaken to us with their beautiful and important aspects, highlighting the roles of midwives in these situations. Announcing that midwives are a source of strength in crisis situations and drawing attention to what midwives can do in crises creates awareness among midwives. Globally, it is crucial for midwives to shed light on midwifery care in widespread issues that cause crises, such as pregnancy and infant losses – which, while affecting individuals and families on a smaller scale, are common problems often termed 'disaster situations'. This involves implementing policies, establishing service systems, and enacting specific laws and regulations in these areas. It selects truly crucial topics for teaching you what is important, demonstrating it, facilitating discussions, raising awareness, and at the same time, creating political power worldwide. For these reasons, when we consider the existing problems, midwives will truly open a new era in preserving the world's health level, preventing some problems, re-establishing ecological balance, or preventing further deterioration. As awareness has increased with this year's crisis theme, I believe these will be reflected in services,” she concluded.
Elif Çakır: “A very valuable event where we gather to deeply discuss the importance of the midwifery profession”
Elif Çakır, a 4th-year Midwifery student and Symposium Student President, who delivered a speech at the symposium, stated; “We have gathered at the symposium titled 'The Place of Midwives in Family and Community Crises'. This symposium is a very valuable event where we gather to deeply discuss the role, value, and importance of the midwifery profession during the most challenging times for societies, in crisis situations faced by families and individuals. I wish for this symposium to raise awareness for both our colleagues and our friends who are about to enter the profession,” she said.
Following the conclusion of the opening speeches, the symposium continued with sessions.
8 different sessions were organized within the scope of the symposium
At the symposium, which featured 8 different sessions on the topics of Crisis and Its Effects, Situations Creating Crises in Family and Society, and Situations Creating Crises in Local and Global Contexts:
- Crisis Process and Crisis Intervention
- Poverty: Its Effects on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- Violence: Its Effects on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- Addiction: Effects of Substance Addiction on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- Loss: Effects of Pregnancy and Infant Loss on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- Climate Crisis: Its Effects on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- War and Migration Crisis: Its Effects on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery
- Natural Disasters: Its Effects on Individual, Family, Society, and Midwifery topics were discussed.
The symposium concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation and a commemorative photo session.
News-Photo: Elifnur Celep