Midwives: A Crucial Link in the Delivery of Quality Assured Obstetric and Newborn Care

Abstract

Maternal mortality is one of the major public health concerns, with almost 99% of maternal deaths being reported in developing nations. There is no doubt that the number of trained and qualified health care professionals in the rural and remote settings (especially in developing nations) are in immense shortage. In most of the rural and hard to reach settings, midwives remain the critical link between the general population and the health sector, predominantly in the obstetrical care. Midwives have been recognized as the lead worker in the delivery of quality assured care during pregnancy, childbirth and even afterwards. This proposed continuum of care is not only liked by women, but it has even played a remarkable role in minimizing the incidence of preterm births and in improving the health of the newborns. In conclusion, in the global mission to significantly minimize the number of preventable deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth, it is of utmost importance to involve midwives and train them in essential aspects of health care delivery.