Charles Cox, one of Baby Lifeline's founding members, knows more than most about the daily challenges Iraqi medics face.
As a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, he is familiar with breech births, neonatal resuscitation and premature babies.
But Mr Cox gained a valuable insight into Iraqi medical practices as a serving member of the Territorial Army, as one of the first wave of US-led coalition troops to enter Basra in March 2003.
Colonel Cox was a general surgeon with the 34 and 202 Field Hospital Units that dealt with many injured civilians during the conflict.
He said: "We set up a 25-bed field hospital. Our first patients were children, many with severe burns.
"One was being treated at Basra General Hospital when the invasion began, so the hospital was evacuated, but he still required medical attention.
"It was obvious the conflict was impacting on the day-to-day operation of the country's health facilities. They were being stretched way beyond their capacity.
"We also saw what the psychological pressure of war was doing to these communities.
"The men were getting shot or injured and so when they returned home they would be frustrated and lash out at their wives and families."
Mr Cox began working on this project with Judy Ledger, founder of Coventry-based charity Baby Lifeline, when he returned from duty last year.
The organisation has staged dozens of conferences and training events around Britain, but both saw this as an opportunity to transfer their expertise to the Middle East
"This isn't just about helping newborn babies or pregnant mothers, the people at this conference are all concerned with the well-being of women and children," said Mr Cox.
" But there's such a shortage of basic equipment. In fact, the last time I was in Iraq I saw a patient being sent off to go and buy their own suture lines.
"So if we can stage one or two more of these events and attract as many delegates as this conference has, we will be helping them to save more lives."
