Appreciating midwives on day in their honour
MORE investment and support for midwives are needed to ensure their role extends far beyond childbirth.
On International Day of the Midwife, Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo addressed midwives at the Mowbray Maternity Hospital yesterday.
“On this day we have to appreciate and acknowledge midwives.
“The theme for International Day of the Midwife is ‘Follow the Data: Invest in Midwives’. This focuses on several areas, making sure that you appoint as many; at least you know there will be a reduction in maternal deaths and antenatal deaths will be tackled,” she said.
Speaking on her experience as an advanced midwife, Mbombo said: “We used to deliver for women where they’ve never been to a hospital or a clinic. We used to conduct all of these visits in KwaZulu-Natal at the time.
“We have seen with Covid-19 that maternal deaths have increased. Women dying during childbirth have increased hence we have to make sure that we also look at other services that are related to improve the health of women,” said Mbombo.
UWC lecturer at the School of Nursing Laura Tengeh said: “The focus should be on supporting the midwives. It’s not only about the PPEs, salaries, but also about their social well-being.”
Operational manager and midwife at Tygerberg Hospital Sister Allereace Steer began as a midwife in 1984 in the maternity ward at the hospital. “Women and their families have an essential right of access to midwives and health professionals to be able to equip the pregnant women to support them with respectful individual quality care throughout their life journey. The midwives’ presence signifies the importance of unity for mothers and newborns whose lives are forever changed by the care of the midwife,” Steer said.