ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMwA) has urged midwives to provide a resilient maternal and child health service with standing adversity.
The Association has celebrated the 32nd International Day of the Midwife yesterday under the theme “Midwives: a vital climate solution.”
In his opening remark, EMwA President Solomon Hailemeskel (MD) said that maternal and child health services are needed not only in a conducive healthcare environment, but also in areas where there is climate crisis so that midwives are expected to deliver resilient maternity and child health services withstanding challenges.
The rising climate change affects maternal, child, sexual and reproductive health. There fore, Solomon stressed that midwives should be cooperative and deliver care in spite of all hurdles.
Asegid Samuel, Ministry of Health Human Resources and Reform Lead Executive on his part noted that the Ministry has given special attention to the health of mothers and children as saving this segment of the society is saving the next generation.
Meanwhile, over 200 midwives have been assigned to make the health services accessible in areas where internally displaced people are settled and conflict zones, such as Tigray, Benshangul, Amara, Oromia and Afar regions, he mentioned.
Accordingly, he said, more than 1.5 million mothers and children have received medical care and it was possible to avert serious health problems.
Midwiferyplays a major role in improving the health of mothers and children and the commitment among midwives and the government has enabled Ethiopia to reduce maternal death from 676to 267out of 100,000 in 30 years, Asegid remarked.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 18 MAY 2024
