“Regional Midwifery Forum in Sharm El-Sheikh highlights the importance of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health – Insights from Egypt’s Minister of Health”

2023-05-29 11:21:47



Mona Zidan


Posted on: Monday, May 29, 2023 – 2:21 PM | Last update: Monday, May 29, 2023 – 2:21 PM

Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, participated in the Regional Midwifery Forum, which will be held from May 29 to 31, in Sharm El-Sheikh, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and the World Health Organization.

At the outset of his speech, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar affirmed the Egyptian state’s interest in hosting this forum, expressing his aspiration to benefit all participating member states. To form partnerships that enhance opportunities for cooperation and exchange of knowledge in the health sector.

The minister stated that the forum stresses the importance of the role of the midwife, which can meet 90% of the necessary needs represented in services to improve reproductive health, maternal health, newborns and adolescents, which is confirmed by international studies, and its positive impact on reducing maternal and newborn mortality. .

The Minister of Health stressed that skilled midwives are considered an essential cadre for health systems in facing challenges related to reproductive health services, maternal health, newborns, children and adolescents, pointing to the advantages of midwifery in the low cost and number of medical interventions, in parallel with the increase in childbirth experiences and the improvement of maternal health.

The Minister of Health and Population pointed to the large gaps between countries in providing midwives who work in accordance with international standards, especially in low- and middle-income countries, pointing to the global shortage of midwives, which amounts to about 1.1 million providers of reproductive care for newly born mothers, stressing the decrease in global maternal mortality by . 38% between 2000 and 2017.

The minister explained that despite all the challenges, there is a golden opportunity represented in activating national commitments through the regional strategy to provide manpower for midwives in the Arab region, stressing the importance of working to develop action plans at the country level for the countries joining the forum, and facilitating exchange between leaders of midwives. Global, regional and national midwifery, to share evidence, good practices and common challenges.

The minister referred to the recommendations of global reports, which show the need for investment in 4 areas, including planning, managing and organizing the health workforce in the work environment, high-quality education and training for midwives, midwifery leadership and governance, and the systems on which midwives work in maternal, reproductive health, newborn and adolescent services. .

The minister continued, Egypt’s commitment to always work on the general vision of the regional midwifery forum to stimulate mobilization, communication and call for cooperation, to accelerate transformational work to and invest in the quality of various aspects of health care, including midwifery.

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