Ahead of the International Day of Midwife, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-Midwives) has pleaded with the Federal Government to employ more professionally-trained midwives.
Mrs Margret Akinsola, the Chairman NANNM-Midwives made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Akinsola said such step would check the rate of maternal, newborn and infant deaths in Nigeria.
“We seek automatic absorption of new graduates of midwifery both basic and post basic,” she pleaded.
The International Day of Midwife (IDM) is commemorated on May 5 annually and theme for the year is “Midwives leading the way with quality care”.
Akinsola emphasised that the day was aimed at celebrating the worth and work of midwives in the society.
She attributed the rate of maternal, newborn and infant deaths in Nigeria to pregnancy related complications and lack of access to qualified midwives as well as inadequacy in health facilities.
“Majority of these could be prevented if there were enough qualified and adequately resourced midwives in our health facilities,” Akinsola said.
She advocated automatic absorption of professional midwives to reduce infant, newborn and maternal mortality rate to the barest minimum.
According to her, what is needed to end maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates is access to care from midwives.
“Midwives who are educated, trained, licensed and regulated to International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) standard work beyond the parameters of just one situation, one setting, one community or one country.
“They are able to lead the way toward improved maternal and newborn health outcomes locally, nationally and globally.
“The dedication of midwives to women and their newborn is renowned.
“They provide appropriate education, counselling and antenatal care that is adapted to the specific needs of the woman and her baby before them.
“As midwives we know that leading with quality care means providing evidence based and people centred reproductive health services.
“Commemoration of IDM is a significant way in highlighting the vital role that midwives play not only in ensuring women and their newborn navigate pregnancy and childbirth safely but also receive respectful and well-resourced maternity care.’’
According to her, they provide maternal care that can create a lifetime of good health and wellbeing beyond the childbirth continuum.
Comments
Post a Comment