WHO: Shortage Of Midwives To Reach 1 Million By 2030

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the current shortage of midwives will trigger an increase of 1 million by the year 2030 which spells out serious implications for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, disclosed this in a message to mark the International Day of the Midwife 2022 which is celebrated every 5th of May. The theme for this year is “100 years of progress”.

She explained that the shortage would mean a serious implication for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 deaths before 2030. Dr. Moeti says that if the current trends persist, only 300,000 midwifery jobs are likely to be created in low-income countries. She says that the day provided the opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the midwives for their services to mothers and newborns.

To her, the year 2022 has marked 100 years of the establishment of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). Dr. Moeti said the establishment currently had 143 Midwives Associations representing 124 countries worldwide, including the Confederation of African Midwives Associations (CONAMA), which was inaugurated in 2013. She said the midwives support women through pregnancy and childbirth, providing antenatal, intrapartum, post-natal care, family planning services while breast and cervical cancer screenings cannot be overlooked.

Dr. Moeti said that in regards to the 2021 State of the World’s Midwifery report by the WHO, the ICM and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the global shortage of midwives stands at 900,000. She said, “This is particularly acute in Africa, with estimates that 75 per cent of essential needs for maternal and reproductive health care are met by midwives. It is concerning that the comparative figure for the WHO African Region is only 41 per cent.”

Dr. Moeti said that midwives were an important part in the prevention of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths. She explained that with adequate investment in midwifery, 4.3 million lives could be saved annually by 2035 which has particular relevance for the WHO African Region. She said if not addressed, it would record about 196,000 maternal deaths each year along with the deaths of one million babies younger than one month.

Moeti said that midwives had 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. She said that the contributions made by midwives towards achieving the SDGs and Universal Health Coverage could not be overestimated because they strengthened Primary Health Care for decades.

She said the midwives “act as a critical link between women and the health system, and making pregnancy and childbirth safer and more secure”. According to her, the African region’s tragic record of maternal and infant deaths demands urgent interventions to expand the coverage of emergency obstetric and newborn service. In her own words, “WHO in the African Region, was working closely with member states to improve the quality of maternal and reproductive care. The organization has continued to support the development and implementation of national strategies to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn illness, death, and to improve every mother’s experience of care by 2030.”

She called upon governments and partners to substantially increase investment in the education, recruitment, deployment, retention and protection of midwives as an essential aspect of countries’ responsibilities. She says, ” African countries are to be capacitated to increase coverage and quality of maternal services, while still responding effectively to health emergencies. 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.”