Midwife call to prevent maternal morbidity

Thursday May 6th, 2010

Midwives have called for the world to pay attention to the plight of millions of women damaged during childbirth.

The call came during the International Day of the Midwife yesterday.

Midwives say as many as 350,000 midwives are needed globally to help prevent deaths and injury to women.

The Royal College of Midwives highlighted the plight of up to two million women in Africa who develop obstetric fistula - and suffer incontinence as well as being shunned by their families.

Frances Day-Stirk, of the RCM, vice-president of the International College of Midwives, said: "Morbidity and particularly obstetric fistula is a devastating problem, and one that is affecting millions of women across the world.

"It is a scandal and there is a real need for urgent action from Governments to tackle the issue.

"International Day of the Midwife is shining a spotlight on this issue and I hope that it will prompt action to help these women."

Tags: Africa | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Nursing & Midwifery | Women’s Health & Gynaecology | World Health

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