IDM: Consortium Of Partners Demand Empowerment Of Midwives

Midwives on the Frontlines: Partners Unite to Spotlight Midwives’ Role in Ending Preventable Maternal Deaths

A Consortium of partners, advocates and practitioners under the Advocacy and Implementation of MNCNH Innovations (AIM MNCNH) in Nigeria have stressed the need to equip, protect, and empower Midwives to save lives of mothers and children in the country.

In a statement by the Senior Media and Communication Officer Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, to mark this year’s International Day of the Midwife says over 1,000 women die per 100,000 live births largely due to a condition that is both preventable and treatable.

The statement says Pathfinder International Nigeria and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) issue an urgent call to action and spotlight the irreplaceable role midwives play in saving lives.

The Senior Country Director of Pathfinder International Nigeria, Dr. Amina Aminu Dorayi emphasized that Midwives are not just health workers  but also lifelines.

”This year, the AIM-MNCNH Consortium is proud to commemorate the day under the campaign theme: “Midwives: Critical in Every Maternal Crisis – Frontline Heroes Against Postpartum Haemorrhage.”

”This theme aligns with the global theme, Midwives: Critical in Every Maternal Crisis, and reflects Nigeria’s urgent maternal health priorities especially the fight against postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal deaths in the country.’‘

”This year’s campaign emphasizes the urgency of scaling this intervention and supporting those at the forefront of maternal health which are midwives.” she says.

On her part the Executive Director, Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), Babafunke Fagbemi noted that effective communication and consistent advocacy are vital pillars for midwifery care.

”Invest to build a resilient health system that motivates our midwives to do more. Play your part, support our midwives they are our frontline champions against Postpartum Haemorrhage.”

Also the National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Prof. Rosemary Ogu, called on the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA to Prioritize national adoption and scale-up of the E-MOTIVE strategy in all maternity care settings.

”Invest in training, recruitment, and equitable deployment of midwives, especially in hard-to-reach areas.”

”Improve working conditions, ensure timely compensation, and institutionalize professional pathways that enable midwives to lead and thrive, ‘she added.