"Think of a midwife: what comes to mind? Excellent teamwork, competence, good judgement and caring…In a world where every two minutes a woman or girl dies during pregnancy, childbirth or its aftermath – as our latest data attest – the midwife is always the hero of the story,” UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 5th May 2023—In celebration of International Day of the Midwife, UNFPA in the United Republic of Tanzania extends its gratitude to midwives everywhere for their unwavering commitment and positive impact on our communities.
This year, we acknowledge midwives as a vital climate solution. They are indispensable professionals in safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, regardless of the circumstances; whether she is at home or forced to flee due to disasters, floods, displacement, and extreme weather. When disasters strike, midwives are most often the first responders for women, representing the single most effective way to avoid preventable maternal deaths.
Prime Minister, Honorable Kassim Majaliwa, opened the commemorative event with an appeal to midwives and other healthcare workers to improve the quality of care they provide in facilitating safe deliveries to further reduce maternal and neonatal deaths:
“Midwives play a crucial role in delivering essential healthcare services, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Midwives are the foundation for achieving the transformative goal of ending preventable maternal deaths, and their contributions are invaluable”. Said Hon. Majaliwa Kasim Majaliwa, Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.
A woman who dies during pregnancy or childbirth is a tragic loss of lives that can be saved with the presence of a midwife. Midwives are not just healthcare providers; they are the frontline warriors, providing culturally sensitive health care, significantly impacting the health and well-being of mothers and their newborns.
Honourable Minister Ummy Mwalimu highlighted that midwives have greatly contributed to the significant reduction of maternal and infant deaths recorded in the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, from 556 to 104 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 43 to 33 infant deaths per 1,000 live births between 2015/16 and 2022.
The United Republic of Tanzania has also made commendable progress in improving the proportion of deliveries attended by skilled health professionals. Approximately 84% of deliveries now take place in health facilities. This shift ensures that mothers and newborns receive necessary medical care and attention during childbirth.
"The government has increased access to safe delivery services, family planning services, HIV testing for pregnant women, cervical cancer screening, vaccination for under-five and sexual and reproductive health information and education.” Minister Ummy Mwalimu explained.
Minister Ummy Mwalimu thanked the Hon. President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellence, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for supporting the health sector in improving health services, especially maternal and child health services.
The President of the Tanzania Midwifery Association (TAMA), Dr. Beatrice Mwilike, also commended the government for the major improvements in health sector infrastructure that have enabled the provision of quality services.
In support of the national efforts to sustain its progress and further reduce maternal and newborn mortality, Canada and UNFPA recently launched the ‘Strengthening Midwifery in Tanzania’ project, which aims to increase the availability of skilled midwives in the country.
“Canada applauds the actions taken by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and stakeholders to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. We encourage all midwives to join in this work and to advocate for action towards a healthier planet and healthier communities”. Said Ms. Helen Fytche, Head of Cooperation and acting high commissioner of Canada in Tanzania.
The Canadian $12 million project, which is a joint initiative of Global Affairs Canada, UNFPA, Amref Health Africa Canada, and the Canadian Association of Midwives, titled “THAMINI UZAZI SALAMA Project” will be implemented in collaboration with government, non-governmental organizations, civil society partners, and healthcare providers in the regions of Shinyanga and Dar es Salaam. The aim is to cultivate an environment that empowers midwives, ensures comprehensive and climate-resilient healthcare services for women, and cherishes every pregnancy and childbirth as a safe and desired experience.
“The world must urgently invest in creating an environment that enables midwives to do their important work by establishing pathways to quality education, providing necessary resources and empowering them to act as full partners across health systems everywhere.” Said Ms. Melissa Mc-Neil Barrett, Deputy Representative – Officer-In-charge, UNFPA in the United Republic of Tanzania
The government continues to improve key maternal and child health interventions to increase their impact and provide better maternal and child health outcomes.
Happy International Day of the Midwife!
#MidwivesSaveLives
