International Day of the Midwife 2021 |06 May 2021
‘Follow the data, and invest in midwives!’
“International Day of the Midwife (IDM) is celebrated each year on May 5. This is a chance for midwives to celebrate their profession and for all of us to recognise their work and contribution to maternal and newborn health.
“The theme for the International Day of the Midwife 2021 is, ‘Follow the data, and invest in midwives!’
“Midwives put women and the families at the centre of care and at the heart of every decision they make, empowering them to be genuine partners in their care and improving their care experience. The significance and importance of
providing women, their partners and families with compassionate care cannot be underestimated.
“This year’s IDM also coincides with the launch of the State of the World’s Midwifery Report in which Seychelles together with other countries across the globe have given an updated evidence-based and detailed analysis of the
midwifery workforce. The report will be communicated widely among global and national decision-makers to stimulate policy dialogue and to inform policy changes.
“As the theme of the International Day of the Midwife 2021 stresses the right investment in midwives’ profession, through this lens the Ministry of Health will lead the ongoing and growing efforts to centre midwives as a fundamental priority to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and achieve SDG 3.1 target of reduction in global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
“The Health Care Agency employs approximately 321 registered midwives. Midwives support the birth of around 1600 babies each year. Midwives are a critical force – even and especially during a global pandemic. Covid-19 has
dramatically impacted all aspects of our health systems, including sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health care. Service disruption risks eroding hard-fought gains in health outcomes and increasing health risks for mothers, newborns and adolescents. It has, also, tragically put midwives at extra risk. However, despite the disruption of services due to Covid-19, since last year, midwives continue to provide uninterrupted pre and post-natal care in the community and women deliver safely in hospital.
“Today we recognise and salute the dedication and sacrifice of our amazing midwives. We will continue to advocate for investment in midwives’ needs, in their educational aspiration, ongoing training, and improvement in their working environment.
“Happy midwife’s day!”
From chief nursing officer's office