PURPOSE:
To highlight how Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training has enhanced midwives’ competency and strengthened midwifery practice in Timor-Leste, enabling the delivery of high-quality and life-saving care in challenging healthcare contexts.

DISCUSSION:
In Timor-Leste, where maternal mortality remain unacceptably high, midwives are often the primary and sometimes only skilled providers available to manage obstetric and newborn emergencies. EmONC training has significantly enhanced their capacity to respond confidently and effectively to complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and neonatal asphyxia. Drawing on experiences over the past two years, midwives report that EmONC training has not only improved their clinical skills but also their professional identity, decision-making, and leadership. They now play a more autonomous role in care provision, supported by mentorship, peer learning, and community trust. This strengthened practice has enhanced midwives’ ability to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies, especially in remote and low-resource settings where timely care is vital. Their improved skills and confidence have contributed significantly to saving lives and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Facility-level data from EmONC facilities demonstrate reduced referral cases and delays, alongside improved maternal outcomes where EmONC-trained midwives are present. Additionally, qualitative feedback from midwives confirms the positive impact of their enhanced skills on emergency maternal and newborn care outcomes.

KEY MESSAGE:
Strengthening midwifery through targeted EmONC training significantly enhances clinical competence, autonomy, and leadership. Empowering midwives to deliver high-quality emergency care is vital to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and advancing health equity in Timor-Leste and similar settings. Education - competency development 3 (including three-minute presentation competition)