Fully investing in midwives by 2035 would avert roughly two-thirds of maternal, newborn deaths and stillbirths, saving 4.3 million lives per year, according to the 2021 State of World’s Midwifery report issued by UNFPA, WHO, International Confederation of Midwives and partners, which evaluates the midwifery workforce and related health resources in 194 countries. UNIFEED
United Nations Population Fund
The State of the World’s Midwifery 2021
The State of the World’s Midwifery (SoWMy) 2021 presents findings on the Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) workforce from 194 countries. The report, produced by UNFPA, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Novametrics, shows the progress and trends since the inaugural 2011 edition and identifies the barriers and challenges to future advancement. The report establishes a global shortage of 1.1 million SRMNAH workers, the largest shortage (900,000) being midwives.
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Investment is urgently needed in education and training; management, regulation and work environment; leadership and governance, and service delivery. Analysis indicates that fully educated, licensed and integrated midwives supported by interdisciplinary teams can deliver about 90 per cent of the ess
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There is a global shortage of 900,000 midwives, with the gap between rich and poor nations’ workforce numbers set to increase, according to a landmark United Nations report.
It estimated that the world’s sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) workforce could meet only 75% of the global need for essential care.
“Midwives play a vital role in reducing the risks of childbirth for women all over the world”