On International Day of the Midwife, there are calls for increased investments in midwives

Today – 5 May – we join hands with midwives around the world to commemorate International Day of the Midwife.  A day to celebrate nurse-midwives in Tanzania, like Agnes, and their hard work, day in and day out, that is contributing to healthier families, more productive communities and to a more robust health system in Tanzania.

This years’ commemorations – with the global theme “Follow the data: Invest in Midwives” –coincides with the launch of the State of the World’s Midwifery Report 2021,[1] co-led by the International Confederation of Midwives, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that brings the latest data on the return on investment in midwives. The evidence is clear: investment in midwives is a cost-effective approach to improving health outcomes for mothers and babies and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and stillbirths. Data indicates that universal coverage of midwife-delivered interventions could avert 67 percent of maternal deaths, 64 percent of neonatal deaths and 65 percent of stillbirths, allowing 4·3 million lives around the globe to be saved annually by 2035.

But it is not just about saving lives; midwives are the key to achieving Tanzania’s Vision 2025 and the ambitious sustainable development goals, as emphasized by Feddy Mwanga, President, Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA): “Midwives not only improve the chance of a safe pregnancy and delivery, but also provide the full continuum of care throughout women and adolescents’ lives. By doing so, they play a key role in the empowerment of women and building equitable, inclusive and sustainable societies.”

As part of the day’s commemorations a symposium, “Midwives save lives: Invest in midwives” will take place in Dar-es-Salaam, led by TAMA, in collaboration with the School of Nursing at Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDEC). UNFPA has provided technical support for the symposium, which is funded by WHO and Global Affairs Canada, who, under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, is supporting efforts in Tanzania to strengthen health systems and improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, including a reduction in the numbers of preventable maternal, infant and child deaths.

“Investment in midwives needs to include not just investment in their numbers, but investments in their education, ongoing training, regulation, and working environment,” said Pamela O’Donnell, High Commissioner of Canada in Tanzania. “If these investments are made they will be able to achieve their full life-saving, health-improving, system-strengthening potential.”

UNFPA is the lead UN agency  supporting efforts under the leadership of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in partnership with TAMA, to build a competent, well-trained and well-supported midwifery workforce.

International Day of the Midwife is not only a time to express gratitude to Tanzania’s midwives, but also an opportunity to look at the data and how to invest in the midwifery force in Tanzania so that they can realize their significant contribution towards accelerating progress towards national and global development aspirations.

Notes to Editors:

1. The State of the World Midwifery report 2021 provides an updated evidence base and detailed analysis of the present progress and future challenges to deliver effective coverage and quality of midwives and midwifery services.