Amman, May 4 (Petra) -- The Higher Population Council (HPC) on Sunday highlighted the critical role midwives play in the primary healthcare system, marking the International Day of the Midwife, observed annually on May 5. This year’s theme is "Midwives: A Crucial Role in Every Crisis."

In a statement, the HPC stressed that the occasion offers an opportunity to recognize the essential contributions of midwives in delivering comprehensive care to women, mothers, and newborns, particularly during humanitarian crises, where midwives often serve as the first line of defense in healthcare provision.

The HPC outlined that midwives offer not only medical assistance but also emotional support before, during, and after childbirth. Their responsibilities include advising on family planning, breastfeeding, mental health, nutrition, and hygiene. Midwifery care, it noted, improves over 50 health indicators and reduces unnecessary medical interventions during childbirth.

The statement also referenced the recent 58th session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development, during which the United Nations launched a global initiative to bolster the midwifery profession and reduce maternal and childbirth-related deaths by broadening the scope of midwifery care.

According to United Nations data, an estimated 260,000 women died from pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications in 2023 an average of one death every two minutes despite a 40 percent decline in maternal mortality rates since 2000.

The Council stressed that midwives are particularly vital in remote and underserved areas, where they often represent the only available healthcare providers, thereby playing a crucial role in enhancing community health.

Citing the Ministry of Health's 2023 annual report, the HPC said the number of practicing midwives in Jordan has reached 4,984. This includes 1,630 in the Ministry of Health, 495 in the Royal Medical Services, 35 in university hospitals, and 2,824 in the private sector underscoring the growing importance of midwives in reproductive healthcare.

As part of planning efforts for reproductive health services between 2025 and 2035, the Council estimated a need for 6,201 midwives by 2035, not including additional staff required to replace those leaving due to retirement or death.

The Council underscored the lifesaving role of midwives in conflict zones and disaster settings, noting that the majority of maternal deaths occur in countries affected by conflict and instability. It called for urgent action to support and further develop the midwifery profession.

Jordan’s provision of high-quality medical services to both refugees and citizens through field hospitals and mobile clinics in cooperation with international organizations was also commended, particularly in light of the increasing strain on the health sector.

The Council urged greater investment in the midwifery profession, including expanding training and continuing education, improving wages and working conditions, ensuring consistent medical supply chains, and involving midwives in policy-making. It also called for raising public awareness of the indispensable role midwives play in delivering integrated healthcare.

//Petra// AJ

04/05/2025 14:33:36