Mayotte Hospital Midwives Halt Strike, But Crisis Deepens: “Largest Maternity in France” Faces Collapse
Mamoudzou, Mayotte – August 27, 2025 – A two-week work stoppage by midwives at the Mayotte Hospital Center (CHM) has been temporarily suspended, but the underlying crisis of chronic understaffing and overwhelming patient numbers remains a stark reality. The midwives, who have bravely voiced their concerns, describe working conditions as “unbearable,” raising serious questions about the quality of maternal healthcare on this French island territory in the Indian Ocean. This is a breaking news story with significant implications for public health and resource allocation.
A System Under Immense Strain: The Numbers Tell a Story
The protest, initiated on August 14th, involved all midwives at the CHM, according to Cloé Mandard, a midwife in Mamoudzou and president of the departmental council of the order of midwives. The national union organization of midwives paints a grim picture: a “dramatically insufficient workforce” forcing patients to be treated in corridors and on stretchers. Currently, only 36 midwives are serving the Mamoudzou maternity, while 75 are needed. Across the entire territory, including Petite-Terre and Kahani, there are just 60 professionals when 120 are required.
The workload is staggering. Midwives in Mayotte are responsible for an average of 24 patients per day – a figure significantly higher than the 15 patients handled by their counterparts in mainland France. This intense pressure is compounded by the fact that many patients arrive without adequate prenatal care, leading to the discovery of complications during childbirth. “We don’t even have time to chat with patients. We feel exhausted and helpless,” one practitioner shared anonymously with AFP.
The Mayotte Maternity Boom & The Vicious Cycle of Staffing Shortages
Mayotte has experienced a dramatic surge in births over the past 15 years, skyrocketing from around 5,000 annually in 2011 to nearly 10,000 in 2024. This “largest maternity in France,” as it’s often called, is struggling to cope with the increased demand. The staffing shortage isn’t simply a matter of recruitment; it’s a self-perpetuating cycle. Exhausted and overwhelmed professionals are leaving or declining to renew their contracts, making it even harder to attract and retain qualified personnel. A young midwife, also speaking anonymously, explained leaving after just over a year, stating, “everything is done in an emergency” and long-term work was unsustainable.
Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Mayotte’s Unique Challenges
Mayotte’s healthcare challenges are deeply rooted in its unique socio-economic context. As a French overseas territory, it faces issues of poverty, limited infrastructure, and a complex demographic situation. The island’s location also presents logistical difficulties in terms of transporting supplies and attracting specialized medical staff. This situation isn’t new; it’s a long-standing issue that requires a comprehensive and sustained response from the French government.
Evergreen Insight: The Mayotte crisis highlights a broader trend in healthcare – the critical importance of investing in maternal health services, particularly in underserved regions. Globally, access to quality maternal care remains a significant challenge, contributing to preventable maternal and infant mortality. Strategies for addressing these challenges include increasing funding for healthcare infrastructure, providing incentives for healthcare professionals to work in rural or remote areas, and strengthening prenatal care programs.
A Working Group & Lingering Doubt
A working group is slated to convene in an attempt to “find solutions,” and the initial strike notice has been suspended. However, Cloé Mandard expresses skepticism, noting that similar promises have been made in the past without yielding tangible results. The hospital management has declined to comment on the situation. The future of maternal healthcare in Mayotte hangs in the balance, dependent on swift and decisive action to address the critical staffing shortages and improve working conditions for its dedicated, but increasingly desperate, midwives.
The situation in Mayotte serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of healthcare systems and the urgent need for proactive investment and sustainable solutions. Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of global healthcare challenges. Explore our Healthcare Section for more related articles and insights.
