*Seeks adequate investment, training of midwives to prevent avoidable deaths
Shortage of midwives in the African region is expected to increase to 1 million by 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
Quoting the 2021 state of the World’s Midwifery report compiled by the WHO, the ICM and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the health body noted that the global shortage of midwives stands at 900,000 with Africa taking the lead.
This was disclosed by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, in her message to commemorate the 2022 International Day of the Midwife.
Moeti, who expressed concern over the development, said the issue has grave implications for the Sustainable Development Goals target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live deaths before 2030.
She said, “Midwives are central to the prevention of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths. With adequate investment in midwifery, 4.3 million lives could be saved annually by 2035.
“This has particular relevance for the WHO African Region, which records about 196,000 maternal deaths each year, along with the deaths of one million babies younger than one month.
“Unfortunately, if current trends persist, only 300,000 midwifery jobs are likely to be created in low-income countries, with the shortage of midwives set to increase to 1 million by 2030. This has serious implications for the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100, 000 live deaths before 2030.
“The contributions that midwives have to make towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage cannot be overestimated.
“Midwives have been strengthening Primary Health Care for decades, acting as a critical link between women and the health system, and making pregnancy and childbirth safer and more secure”.
Calling on leaders and partners to do more, the WHO added that despite significant progress in Africa to reduce preventable deaths relating to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, the interruption of services due to the COVID-19 response still remain a big challenges.
She stressed the need for governments and partners to increase investment in education, recruitment, deployment, retention and protection of midwives.
She said, “This is essential if African countries are to be capacitated to increase coverage and quality of maternal services, while still responding effectively to health emergencies.
“During the pandemic, midwifery has been impacted by restrictive practices introduced in maternal and newborn care to mitigate the risk of cross-infection. WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, developed technical guidance for countries to enable continuity of essential Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health services, while protecting and supporting midwives.
“In addition, WHO advocates for the adoption of policies to combat sexual harassment and promote a safe and respectful work environment, for midwives and other health workers.
“We, as WHO in the African Region, are working closely with our Member States to improve the quality of maternal and reproductive care.
“We are supporting the development and implementation of national strategies to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn illness and death, and to improve every mother’s experience of care, by 2030”.
International Day of the Midwife is celebrated annually on May 5, providing the opportunity to honour the work of midwives, and promote awareness of the crucial care that midwives provide to mothers and their newborns.
This year marks the establishment, 100 years ago, of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
There are currently 143 Midwives’ Associations representing 124 countries worldwide, including the Confederation of African Midwives Associations (CONAMA), which was inaugurated in 2013.
