Association Says One Million Practitioners Needed To Mitigate Maternal, Infant Mortality

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institution (NANNM-FHI) says about one million midwives are needed to avert millions of maternal and newborn mortalities across the globe.

Mr. Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman, NANNM-FHI sector, disclosed this to the newsmen in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke on the backdrop of the 2023 International Midwives Day, with the theme: “Together Again -from Evidence to Reality”.

Newsmen report that the International Midwives Day is usually celebrated annually on May 5 to create awareness of the significant role of midwives worldwide.

Rilwan defined midwifery as the care of women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, as well as care of the newborn and measures aimed at preventing health problems in pregnancy.

He said that midwifery also included the detection of abnormal conditions, the procurement of medical assistance when necessary and the execution of emergency measures in the absence of medical help.

“About 900,000 midwives are needed to address global gaps in preventing 2.2 million maternal and newborn deaths, including stillbirth that can be averted with investment in midwives by year 2035.

“Nigeria is not left out. Worldwide, 295,000 women die yearly due to pregnancy and childbirth-related complications and 2.4 million newborns die in the first month of life with two million still births.

“Most of these preventable deaths occur in low-income countries and in poor/rural areas.

“This is the reason why NANNM is advocating for improved health workforce for quality healthcare services, involving nurses and midwives in policy making and decision matters in health and politics.”

Rilwan urged that nurses and midwives be appointed into key positions in leadership and governance, adding that adequate compensation and enhanced nurses and midwives salary structure should also be implemented.

“All these efforts is to prevent health sector from collapse because when midwifery is successfully integrated into a health care system –It allows for provision of more effective care for women and infants”

“Midwifery services and contribution within existing health facility can increase not only coverage but also sustainability of quality care and access to life saving interventions,” he said.