Health Advocates Urge Immediate Investment in Midwives to Reduce Maternal Mortality
In numerous underserved areas, midwives frequently serve as the sole trained birth attendants. They operate under challenging circumstances, dealing with scarce resources and inadequate backing.
Health promoters in Nigeria are urging the government, development allies, and the general populace to emphasize investing in midwives as an essential approach to eliminating avoidable maternal fatalities.
Advocates from AIM MNCNH in Nigeria made these remarks in a statement on Monday to mark the 2025 International Day of the Midwife.
Led by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP), this initiative collaborates with the Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Pathfinder International Nigeria, and the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI).
The advocates stated that the midwives serve not only as healthcare providers but also as essential front-line responders during maternal emergencies. They emphasized their crucial role, particularly in combating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), which is the primary cause of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The statement also indicated that despite having both global and national strategies in place, these have yet to result in tangible changes at the local level.
Amina Dorayi, the Senior Country Director for Pathfinder International Nigeria, emphasized that midwives should not merely receive verbal recognition.
Ms Dorayi stated that midwives are more than healthcare providers; they serve as essential support systems.
She stated, 'We cannot commemorate them without pledging to supply, safeguard, and strengthen them so they can save lives.'
A recent analysis According to Premium Times, utilizing data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate stands at approximately 1,047 fatalities for every 100,000 live births, placing it as the third highest globally.
In numerous underserved areas, midwives frequently serve as the sole trained professionals present during childbirth, operating in challenging environments, with scarce supplies and inadequate assistance.
Call to action
A key solution highlighted in the statement is the E-MOTIVE approach, a WHO-endorsed care bundle proven to reduce severe postpartum bleeding by up to 60 per cent.
The six-step protocol involves early detection of bleeding, uterine massage, administration of oxytocic drugs and tranexamic acid, IV fluids, genital tract examination, and appropriate escalation of care.
The President of MWAN, Rosemary Ogu, urged for collaborative efforts to conquer the challenge of maternal mortality.
"We need to be champions for maternal health. Let us provide or advocate for supplies and resources. Please add your voice," she said.
The AIM MNCNH consortium also issued a direct call to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, urging the immediate adoption and scale-up of the E-MOTIVE strategy in maternity care centres nationwide.
The advocates emphasised the need to prioritise investment in training, recruitment, and equitable deployment of midwives, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas where maternal deaths are most common.
They also called for improved working conditions, timely and regular pay, and the establishment of professional growth pathways that allow midwives to lead within the health system.
The group reached out to development partners and donors, requesting financial support for grassroots, community-driven initiatives aimed at ensuring essential resources reach front-line workers directly.
Strengthening supply chains, ensuring the availability of essential drugs, and adapting interventions like E-MOTIVE to local contexts were highlighted as key steps toward saving more lives.
The group also urged communities to take maternal health seriously by choosing skilled birth attendants, recognising danger signs early, and supporting the health workers who serve them.
Babafunke Funmi, who serves as the Executive Director at the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), highlighted the significance of media and advocacy efforts in fostering transformation.
Mrs. Fagbemi stated that efficient communication and persistent advocacy are essential foundations for quality midwifery care.
" Invest in strengthening the healthcare system to encourage our midwives to excel even further, " she stated.
World Midwives Day
Every year on May 5th, the world observes the International Day of the Midwife to acknowledge the crucial part midwives play in protecting the health and welfare of both mothers and their infants.
The theme for the 2025 International Day of the Midwife is "Midwives: Essential in All Maternal Emergencies."
Founded by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day underscores the crucial role of midwives as key front-line health care providers, notably in lowering maternal and newborn death rates.
The day also serves as a call to action, urging governments, development partners, and communities to invest in midwifery education, training, and support systems, especially in underserved areas where midwives often serve as the only access point to skilled birth care.
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