• A three-year programme for midwifery has recently been introduced in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 5

Midwives save lives, support and promote healthy families, and empower women and couples to choose whether, when, and how often to have children, said the United Nations Population Fund.

Issuing a statement today on the occasion of the International Day of the Midwife, UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said midwives also help avert sexually transmitted infections and prevent disabilities like obstetric fistula and mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This year’s theme of the day “Midwives, Mothers and Families: Partners for Life” underscores the critical role midwives play, he said.

Preventing maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities and empowering women to make informed, healthy choices and exercise their rights is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the UNFPA director added. “To make this happen, we need to expand midwifery programmes, maintaining the highest global standards, and promote an enabling environment for midwives to effectively serve the public’s needs.”

The three-year Bachelor in Midwifery Science programme has recently been started in Nepal by the National Academy of Medical Sciences under Bir Hospital and also by the Kathmandu University.

“We commend the NAMS and Kathmandu University for starting the Bachelor in Midwifery course,” said UNFPA Country Representative to Nepal Giulia Vallese.

The Ministry of Health, Nepal Nursing Council, UNFPA, GIZ, Midwifery Society of Nepal and other organisations celebrated the day by organising several events in Kathmandu and in districts.

Quoting the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, MIDSON said 58 per cent of women deliver babies with the help of skilled birth attendants in the country and only 69 percent of pregnant women have had four or more antenatal visits indicating that many women lack access to maternity care.