Former Midwives Recall Their Love for the Job
Midwifery is not just about delivering babies in the hospital, it’s beyond that. Retired midwife, Sister Litiana Ralulu, 65, of Galoa, Macuata made this comment on Thursday.
Ms Ralulu had spent 30 years of her career in the public health sector before she went for midwifery training.
“I thought midwifery is just work in the labour ward and looking after pregnant mothers, but it’s beyond that,” she said.
She said a midwife’s job was full of challenges, but it was exciting as well.
Another retired midwife, Sister Suliana Batikawai, 66, said she was passionate about her job.
The trained nurse who graduated in 1978 said she loved to look after women and their babies.
“Everything is at my fingertips, even though I’m retired, the pregnant ladies in my village still approach me for advice,” she said.
Both Ms Ralulu and Ms Batikawai had joined the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific 2015.
They were deployed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific to Vanuatu to work as facilitators in the Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) in response to the relief and recovery efforts for the communities who were severely affected by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam in 2015 and TC Yasa in 2020.
During the Tropical Cyclone Yasa, they helped more than 20 females at the WFS.
This year marked the 100th year for International Day of the Midwife (IDM)
Deputy Director and Officer-inCharge, UNFPA, Saira Shameem said UNFPA Pacific was aiming to increase investments in midwifery
“UNFPA Pacific is aiming to increase investments in midwives as midwifery has led to healthier, happier families and communities in every corner of the world; and the continued investments in midwives could avert two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths, saving 4.3 million lives annually by 2035,” she said.
“On this International Day of the Midwife, we at UNFPA renew our commitment to working with our partners across the Pacific to strengthen midwifery skills and capacities.”