As access to medical and health interventions becomes an essential response to reducing casualties and death rates, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) urges Nigeria, the most populated African nation, to recruit more midwives to help reduce maternal and child mortality in the country.
The UNFPA advised Nigeria to improve antenatal care by recruiting an additional 70,000 midwives, noting that a shortage of midwives and a lack of emergency response are among the factors leading to the increased maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 live births in the country.
The country’s northern region is said to have been the most vulnerable zone, lacking essential maternal and reproductive health care needs.
However, while commemorating the 2023 International Day of the Midwife, the UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, noted that, besides employing more midwives, authorities should encourage them to be engaged and active in general healthcare services.
While arguing that midwives account for less than 10% of the health services workforce because of demoralization and shortages in supply, the organization also reiterates that skilled, experienced, and competent midwives can provide almost 90% of essential sexual and reproductive health care.
“Despite their critical role in healthcare, midwives, who are predominantly women, often face marginalization within health systems, including inadequate pay, poor working conditions, and limited opportunities for skill development.
These challenges are compounded by a global shortage of 900,000 midwives, which suggests a misconception about the importance of midwives as healthcare workers. In reality, midwives are essential providers of care and support throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period.”
According to the agency, women deserve professional support, and midwives are necessary and primary demands in a world where women battle between life and death or die every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth.
It also said that “A country that invests in employing skilled and capable midwives plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival and safety of mothers and babies. Midwives are essential healthcare providers who help prevent maternal and child mortality rates by providing quality care and support throughout the pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period. By recognizing the importance of midwifery and investing in the training and employment of midwives, countries can significantly improve the health outcomes for women and children.”
However, uninterrupted services and the dedication of midwives’ should be appreciated, especially by offering support to individuals in diverse settings, especially by playing a critical role in providing essential sexual and reproductive health information in the areas of family planning and humanitarian and hard-to-reach areas.
While disclosing the number of midwives trained by the UNFPA in partner countries around the world, which has reached about 350,000 midwives in total, the agency urges nations to close the midwife workforce gap, which is capable of preventing an estimated two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths globally and can save over 4.3 million lives annually if implemented by 2035.
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