GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON MIDWIFERY CONGRESS AND STATE OF WORLD’S MIDWIFERY REPORT
BBC2 (UK) reported on 22 June that a major report into the state of midwifery has found that traditional birth attendants alone will not stop women and babies dying. The three-year training course midwives undertake equips them with the skills to help save lives. And training just 112,000 new midwives could save the lives of 3.6 million mothers and babies by 2015. The UNFPA report says that this relatively low number of new midwives could have a big impact. But their presence in the community has to be supported with medical equipment and access to trained medical teams if there is a real emergency – like when a caesarean section or blood transfusion is needed. Read and Listen: BBC2
Associated Press (US) reported on 20 June that in Ethiopia, only 6 per cent of births are attended by a doctor, nurse or midwife. In Niger, many women have more pregnancies than is safe. In Botswana, the AIDS virus is linked to almost 80 per cent of maternal deaths. According to a UNFPA study, more and better trained midwives could help save millions of lives in these and scores of other countries with high mother and newborn death rates. Read: Associated Press
The Guardian (UK) reported on 20 June that the The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 report, launched at a meeting of the international confederation of midwives in Durban, South Africa, confirms a significant gap between the number of midwives practising and those needed to save lives. "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA, which released the report. Read: The Guardian
IRIN reported on 20 June that up to 3.6 million maternal and child deaths could be avoided each year if midwifery services were upgraded, according to a new report released by UNFPA and partners at a conference in Durban, South Africa. "Public health advisors and practitioners are not relying on the key health professional that can improve maternal mortality - the midwife," said Vincent Fauveau, Senior Maternal Health Advisor with UNFPA, who led the drafting of the report. Read: IRIN
UN News Centre reported on 20 June that Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are upgraded, according to a report released by UNFPA and partners. Read: UN News Centre
UN Radio reported on 20 June that midwives are playing a major role in preventing mother to baby transmission of HIV, according to UNFPA. HIV and AIDS have been responsible for the majority of maternal and newborn deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. In a new report on the State of the World’s Midwifery 2011, released the agency is calling for the scaling up of midwifery service around the globe. Vincent Faveau, the UNFPA senior maternal health advisor said, “Currently less than half of all pregnant women in the world have access to a professional midwife. If 95 per cent of the pregnant women had access to a professional midwife, well equipped and authorized to perform these life saving and preventative measures, that would make a big difference in the AIDS epidemic in the world.” Read and Listen: UN Radio and in Spanish: UN Radio
VOA (US) reported on 20 June that The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 was released in Durban, South Africa, at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives. It says because of a lack of midwives, nearly 360,000 women die while pregnant or giving birth each year; about two million newborns die within the first 24 hours of life; and over two and a half million infants are stillborn. “Midwives are very important because they provide services throughout the childbearing years of a woman. So, they cover all the needs that exist in families for reproductive health, for education, family planning, obviously everything to do with pregnancy and childbirth and, generally, sexual and reproductive health issues,” said Petra ten Hoope, midwifery adviser and a main author of the report. Read: VOA
AFRICA: Panapress reported on 20 June that the city of Durban welcomed the launch of the first report on the current state of midwifery practice around the world, through new data collected in 58 countries representing all regions and to help strengthen the practice of midwifery throughout the world. The State of the World’s Midwives 2011 was launched at a press conference by the Undersecretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin, in the presence of President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Bridget Lynch. Read in French: Panapress
SAPA reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban paints a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 developing countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in these countries if midwifery services were upgraded. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. Read: SAPA
LATIN AMERICA: Reuters and EFE reported on 21 June on the release of the State of the World’s midwives 2011, and on remarks by UNFPA officials, including Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin at the World Congress of Midwives. Read in Spanish: EFE and Reuters
ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 21 June on the launch of The State of the World's Midwifery 2011, at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) underway in Durban, South Africa. The report unveils new data confirming there is a significant gap between the number of midwives practicing and those needed to save lives. Read: Tert.am, Armtown. Read in Armenian: Tert.am and News.am
AUSTRALIA: Radio Australia reported on 20 June that up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are upgraded, according to a United Nations report. The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 report, released by UNFPA and partner, says that 350,000 more midwives are still needed globally. The article included an interview with Della Sherrat, UNFPA's international coordinator for skilled birth attendants in Laos, who discussed maternal health and the role and need for skilled attendants in Laos and throughout Asia. Read: Radio Australia
BANGLADESH: Multiple media outlets published on 20 June an op-ed by UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken marking the release of “the State of the World’s Midwifery 2011.” Mr. Erken wrote, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed during the MDG Summit in September 2010 in New York to “doubling the per centage of births attended by a skilled health worker by 2015 through training an additional 3,000 midwives, staffing all 427 sub-district health centres to provide round-the-clock midwifery services, and upgrading all 59 district hospitals and 70 Mother and Child Welfare Centres as centres of excellence for emergency obstetric care services”. This commitment is highly laudable and will tremendously help in achieving further reductions in maternal mortality and morbidity to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 5 by 2015. To operationalise this strategic direction of the Honorable Prime Minister, the Government of Bangladesh, with the support from UNFPA and the WHO, initiated a midwifery education programme in alignment with international and national standards to produce midwives with the required competencies.” Read: Daily Sun
BdNews24 reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban paints a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 developing countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in these countries if midwifery services were upgraded. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners and presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. Read: BdNews24
BdNews24 reported on 20 June on the opening of the international congress of midwives. Midwives from across the globe walked five kilometres along the Durban waterfront a day prior to the opening of the congress, to send the message across that "the world needs more midwives now than ever to save mothers.” UNFPA, which supports midwifery development, observes that competent midwives are cost-effective solution to cut maternal deaths. "But the point is midwives have to be supervised. Supervision is extremely important," a UNFPA coordinator for midwifery programme said earlier. Read: BdNews24
BELARUS: Interfax reported on 24 June that according to the World Health Organization there are not enough birth attendants in the world. 358,000 women and 3.6 million children die annually from pre- and post-natal complications, which can be prevented, states the Midwifery report. The whole report bears the idea of necessity to strengthen midwifery services in the world. The report is prepared on request of UNFPA and was presented on the International Midwifery Confederation Congress, which is held every three years. Read in Russian: Interfax
BRAZIL: Agencia Brasil reported on 20 June that nearly 3.6 million deaths could be prevented each year with appropriate child delivery care, indicated a report launched by UNFPA in South Africa, during an international event with midwives. The UN agency has evaluated the care provided to pregnant women and newborns in 58 countries accounting for 60 per cent of births worldwide and more than 90 per cent of maternal mortality. The report showed an overall deficit of 350,000 midwives worldwide. The organization warned that 38 countries surveyed must dramatically increase the number of midwives if they want to achieve the MDG target of 95 per cent of deliveries with skilled attendance by 2015. Read in Portuguese: Agencia Brasil
CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh Post reported on 21 June that Cambodia must increase the number of midwives working in the Kingdom in order to meet a goal of having 95 per cent of births supervised by a skilled birth attendant by 2015, according to a report released on 20 June. The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 report, released by UNFPA and partners, found that an estimated 567 more midwives were needed in Cambodia to meet a projected Millennium Development Goal target of 2,481. Cambodia is one of 38 countries facing a “severe shortage” of midwives, with an average of six midwives per 1,000 live births, the report stated. The maternal mortality rate is 290 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to 2008 data. Read: Phnom Penh Post
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): DRTV, MNTV, Congo-site, Canal Benedictions and Radio-Congo reported on 21 June on a press conference held by UNFPA Representative David Lawson and Midwife Order President Adrienne Beatrice Guekele. Mr. Lawson presented the contents of the report, emphasizing the point that midwives not only give birth but also save life. 350,000 additional midwives are needed worldwide, as many as women are dying giving birth. Recalling the advocacy for government-initiated midwifery on the occasion of International Midwife Day 2011, he said, "In Congo midwives are an integral and strategic element to reduce maternal mortality, including through implementing free C-section. We need more midwives, better distributed in the country, and UNFPA is support the government efforts in this regard, but we also need a well structured Midwife National Order, more professionalism, dedication and commitment by midwives to saving lives." Ms. Guekele agreed that more training was necessary and support by UNFPA was welcome. Read in French: Congo-site
DENMARK: U-landsnyt.dk and Politiken reported on 20 and 21 June on the release of the midwifery report on 20 June, focusing on the shortage of midwives in 38 countries. The article noted that UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said that the report exposes the urgent need to train more health workers to assist during pregnancy and childbirth and to ensure equal access to their services in local communities. It will improve women's and children's health. Read in Danish: Politiken and U-Landsnyt
ECUADOR: Andes reported on 20 June that a new report by UNFPA estimated that the deficit amounted to 350,000 midwives in 58 countries worldwide. Read in Spanish: Andes
FRANCE: Radio France International broadcast on 23 June a two-part discussion featuring Vincent Fauveau, Maternal Health Adviser, UNFPA, and coordinator of the State of the World’s Midwifery Report; Luc de Bernis, Senior Maternal Health Adviser, UNFPA; and Frédérique Teurnier, President of the (French) College of Midwives. The discussion addressed the report and work in countries with high maternal mortality. Read and listen in French: RFI and RFI
La Croix reported on 20 June that a UNFPA report focused on the “irreplaceable role of midwives against pregnancy-related mortality.” 58 countries representing close to six births in ten comprise the heart of the problem: only 17 per cent of midwives are practicing there. Read in French: La Croix
AFP reported on 20 June that close to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are strengthened by 2015, according to a new report by UNFPA.
GERMANY: Saarland reported on 20 June that the 58 countries, which represent 60 per cent of all births worldwide, represent 17 per cent of all active midwives. This lack of professional birth attendance is one of the main reasons that these countries account for about 90 percent of all cases of maternal mortality and 80 percent of all stillbirths. In the State of the World's Midwifery 2011 UNFPA examines the situation of midwives in 58 developing countries. In order to achieve MDG5, reducing maternal mortality by three quarters by the year 2015, about 350,000 additional midwives must be trained in the world. Particularly dramatic is the need for obstetricians in sub-Saharan Africa - the region with the highest maternal mortality worldwide. For example, there are in Sierra Leone at 221,000 births per year, only 111 midwives. Read in German: Saarland
INDIA: Hindustan Times reported on 23 June that a major report released by UNFPA has revealed that up to 3.6 million lives could be saved every year if midwifery services were upgraded in 58 developing countries by 2015. The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 revealed new data confirming there is a significant gap between the numbers of midwives practising and those needed to save lives. "We collected completely new data on the midwifery workforces in 58 'resource poor' countries where nearly 60 per cent of the world's babies are born. What we found were three huge gaps,” said Southampton statistician and social scientist Zoe Matthews. "First, there are not enough midwives. Second, women often cannot access care. Third, and most crucially, there is an urgent need to upgrade midwives' competencies in places where education, regulation and support for the profession are not strong,” added Prof. Matthews. "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA.
The Indian Express reported on 21 June that according to the State of the World Midwifery 2011, a report by UNFPA, in India “ensuring availability of human resources for skilled attendance at birth in remote areas remains a challenge. In some regions the majority of midwifery services are provided by auxiliary nurse midwives, who lack full set of competencies.” Read: The Indian Express
ABC Live reported on 20 June that UNFPA’s first report on the state of midwifery was launched at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban, South Africa. The report highlights the critical role that midwives play in improving maternal and newborn health and survival and the shortage of skilled midwives in many low-income countries, stressing the need to train and deploy more midwives in all parts of a country - especially remote and rural areas. Read: ABC Live
MALAWI: The Guardian (UK) reported on 20 June that an innovative UNFPA report, The State of the World's Midwifery, focuses much needed attention on service providers, and will help to achieve MDGs 4 and 5. A recent paper on maternal health staff in a district referral hospital in Malawi concluded that burnout appears to be common among those providing antenatal, delivery and postnatal health services. Read: The Guardian
MÉXICO: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 and 21 June on the release of the State of the World's Midwifery. In Mexico, over 1,000 women die each year from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth as a result of a lack of access to skilled care, including midwives. This was reported by UNFPA Representative Diego Palacios, Patricia Veloz, Director ocf the National Centre for Gender Equality and Health, the Health Secretariat (SSA), and Maricruz Coronado, CEO of the Civil Association For Adolescents Centre San Miguel Allende, the first training school for midwives. Read in Spanish: Vanguardia, El Mercurio, La Jornada and Once TV
MOZAMBIQUE: Notícias reported on 23 June that a new UNFPA report says that births assisted by skilled professionals could save millions of lives in the world. According to the State of the World’s Midwifery-2011, if by 2015 midwifery services were upgraded in 58 countries maternal and child mortality rates would drop significantly.
NEPAL: Republica reported on 21 and 24 June on the release of the State of the World’s Midwifery report and the International Congress of Midwives, focusing on midwifery in Afghanistan, and quoting Geeta Lal, coordinator of the midwives programme at UNFPA, who cited Afghanistan as “one of the most successful countries in midwifery.” The coverage also included an interview with report coordinator Vincent Fauveau. Read: Republica and Republica
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 21 June on The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011, released by UNFPA and other international organizations. "This report highlights the urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills, and ensure equitable access to services in communities, to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Radio Nanduti, La Nacion and Radio Viva
SOUTH AFRICA: The Times reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban has painted a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services were upgraded, it said. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners and presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. The study surveyed 58 developing countries and found that 38 of them were in dire need of more midwives. The 38 countries will not meet their MDG5 targets without 112,000 more midwives, the reports stated. In the report's foreword, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urges countries to take bold steps to improve midwifery. Read: The Times
SWAZILAND: The Swazi Observer reported on 22 June that the first ever midwifery report was launched at the ongoing International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) congress in Durban. Coordinated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the report contains alarming statistics on how pregnant women and babies die all over the world because they do not have access to health facilities or qualified health professionals. Read: The Swazi Observer
The Swazi Observer reported on 21 June that midwives from over 100 countries were in Durban to attend the International Confederation of Midwives congress. Swazi midwives and a team of academics from the University of Swaziland are also participating in the congress. About 3000 delegates were participating in this mega event, whose major sponsors are Johnson & Johnson, UNFPA and other organizations. Prior to the official opening of the Congress, over 1,000 midwives participated in a 5km walk that began at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and ended at the U-Shaka Marine world, was aimed at drawing people’s attention to the important role played by midwives in societies. The article noted that UNFPA is clear in recommendations made in the report concerning midwifery by urging that: governments must recognize midwifery as a distinct profession, core to the provision of maternal and newborn health services and promote it as a career with posts at the national policy level; ensure that midwifery and midwives are specified in costed maternal and newborn health plans and aligned with human resources for health plans; ensure adequate availability and distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities, including midwife led units of care; and invest in human resource management to develop and maintain competencies, manage entries and exits, and improve data on the practising midwifery workforce. Read: The Swazi Observer
SWEDEN: Sveriges Radio reported on 20 June on the release of The State of the World’s Midwifery Report in their national news broadcast as well as on their website. The lead message was the lack of hundred thousand midwives in the world. A Swedish midwife, Ms. Anna af Ugglas, who works for UNFPA in Bangladesh, said “we can only gain from providing women with as much skilled attendance, support and help as possible during pregnancy and birth.” Read in Swedish: Sveriges Radio
Sveriges Radio Studio Ett, reported on 20 June on the lack of midwives in the developing world. Swedish UNFPA midwife Ms. Kristina Castell, who works in Nepal, was interviewed live from the midwifery congress in Durban. “The fact that this is not prioritized enough is closely linked to women’s low status,” she said, describing the situation in Nepal where the maternal death rate is high and access to midwives low, especially in rural areas. Mr. Anders Molin, Health Advisor at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) also participated in the programme.Sveriges Radio
Sydsvenskan, reported on 21 June on the midwifery report, including a full-page interview with Swedish midwife Anna af Ugglas, who works with UNFPA in Bangladesh. She said the situation is improving in Bangladesh, but much still needs to be done. The country’s first 60 midwives graduated this year, but another 60,000 midwives are still needed, she said. “An educated midwife can for example identify risks at an early stage during pregnancy,” she said. “[A midwife] can support women to seek help in a clinic and deal with the most urgent complications.”
TANZANIA: The Citizen reported on 25 June on the launch of the State of the World’s Midwives, citing examples of shortage of midwives in the East African region but mostly Tanzania, which has the lowest ration in the region.
UNITED STATES: Ms. reported on 21 June that The State of the World's Midwifery 2001, a report released yesterday by UNFPA, indicates that if midwifery services were improved by 2015, approximately 3.6 million lives could be saved each year. The report underscores the current disparity between the number of midwives currently practicing and the number needed to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA, stated, "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children." Read: Ms.
Mother Jones reported on 20 June that increased access to and training for midwives in developing countries could save millions of lives every year, according to a new report that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) issued Monday. Improved access to professional midwives could save 3.6 million lives in 58 developing countries by 2015, the report concludes. Read: Mother Jones
UZBEKISTAN: UzReport reported on 21 June that some 24,000 midwives play a key role in delivering antenatal care and assisting physicians during delivery in Uzbekistan. However, the division of responsibilities and tasks between obstetricians and midwives during delivery is sometimes unclear and presents a challenge in the work environment, according to the midwifery report. Problems, such as gaps in the training of midwives and lack of funding, persist. UNFPA is supporting the government by sharing good practices and providing international expertise on maternal health standards. "I think the government has made maternal health a major priority," said UNFPA Representative, Karl Kulessa. "The President has stressed that MDG5, on maternal health, is a big priority in this country, and we're working very closely with the government in realizing it."
UzReport reported on 20 June that the first State of the World's Midwifery report confirms the critical role midwives play in improving maternal and newborn health and survival. It highlights the shortage of skilled midwives in many low-income countries, stressing the need to train and deploy more midwives in all parts of a country - especially remote and rural areas. The report, commissioned and coordinated by UNFPA, was launched at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban, South Africa on 20 June. Read: UzReport