FG urged to increase investment on midwives

The wife of the Senate President, and Global Goodwill Ambassador of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Mrs Toyin Saraki, has called on the federal government and international policymakers to improve investments and support for midwives.

She made the call during the commemoration of the International Day of the Midwife, organized by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in Abuja.

She said Nigeria has the second worst maternal and newborn mortality rates globally, adding that there was urgent need to increase investment in midwifery in the country.

“Without an increase in midwives in Nigeria, and improved equipment and training for midwives, we will not improve maternal and newborn health nationally,” she said.

Saraki, who is also the Founder of the Wellbeing Foundation said that she believed that it is the power of three that would change and revolutionise communities, countries, and continents.

The power of three is a well-equipped, respected trained midwife; a healthy and informed mother; and a protected and safe baby. The power of three will improve and transform maternal and newborn health.

Mrs. Saraki said midwives were essential to the health of women, mothers, and adolescent girls, adding that data had shown that the risk of stillbirths or death due to intrapartumrelated complications could be reduced by 20% with a skilled midwife or birth attendant.

She said that it was through midwives that mothers in the foundation’s MamaCare antenatal and postnatal classes have learnt about pregnancy, labour, their mental and physical health; and the health of their newborns.

As part of activities to commemorate the day, Mrs Saraki led a delegation on a visit to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole and also donated relief materials and dignity packages to the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNMS).

Meanwhile veteran journalist and the Executive Director of International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Chief Moji Makanjuola in a statement to commemorate the International Day of the Midwife said there was need to revitalize and leverage on Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) in order to reach rural communities.

She said the scheme has contributed significantly to the reduction of maternal and child deaths, adding that midwives were a first line health care point and should be available at all health centres nationwide to improve service delivery.

She said there was need for improved midwives’ training and condition of service to improve the maternal and child mortality index from its current position of 567 deaths per 100,000 live births and to meet the target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).