OPHA: Impact of COVID on Access to Reproductive Health Services

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on access to reproductive health services globally. This webinar will present research on access to midwifery care during the pandemic, including information on the demand for, offering of, and philosophy of midwifery care. The webinar will also provide a clinical perspective on using unique skillsets and practice positioning to create systems to broaden access to full-spectrum midwifery care in the pandemic when elsewhere access has narrowed tremendously. Attendees will be able to reflect on lessons learned on supporting pregnant and postpartum people during and beyond the pandemic.

Speakers

Shezeen Suleman RM

Shezeen Suleman is a Registered Midwife, and co-lead for the MATCH Program (Midwifery and Toronto Community Health) at South Riverdale Community Health Centre. She leads a team who provides complete perinatal care, including pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, medication abortion and early pregnancy loss management. The Program has a strong focus on serving people without access to health insurance coverage, people who are homeless or under-housed, people living in poverty, newcomers to Canada and people who use drugs.

Susana Ku

Susana Ku is a Registered Midwife in Ontario, Canada. Before starting her career in Canada, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Midwifery in Peru and obtained a master’s degree in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Peru. In addition to her academic background, she has also performed as a clinical preceptor and Midwifery instructor in the Midwifery education program. She is a Committee Member in the Virtual International Day of the Midwife Conference. She is currently involved in global health projects because global midwifery is one of her research interests. Fellow member at McMaster Midwifery Research Center, her main areas of interest are childbearing and human rights, promotion of equity in health, use of technology for continuing education, provision of quality midwifery care during crisis and choice of birthplace. Susana continues with her clinical practice and is a PhD student in the Global Health program at McMaster University.

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