Khadijah Aliyu
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is calling for better training and incentives for midwives in Africa to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
According to Dr. Sennen Hounton, UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, midwives play a vital role in ensuring the survival of mothers and children.
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“Midwives are the backbone of maternal and child survival,” Hounton emphasized, warning that neglecting their welfare puts mothers and children at risk.
He urged governments in West and Central Africa to invest in midwives’ training and well-being, stressing that “no woman should die before giving birth.”
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Hounton also highlighted the importance of engaging politicians in discussions about maternal and reproductive health, particularly during election periods. “We need to put the issues of maternal and reproductive health on the table for discourse,” he said.
UNFPA’s 2024 data shows that with adequate support, midwives could prevent up to 40% of maternal deaths. The organization is advocating for increased investment in midwives to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.
World Midwife Day, celebrated annually on May 5, recognizes the critical contributions of midwives to reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services.