Chronicle Editor
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke,Senior Health Reporter
Midwives have been recognised for their vital role, not only in ensuring safe childbirth, but also in combating the growing threat of climate change on maternal and new-born babies’ health.
The country recently held belated commemorations of the International Day of the Midwives, which is annually celebrated on May 5, to recognise the invaluable role played by midwives.
This year’s celebrations, organised by the Ministry of Health and Child Care with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Swedish Embassy, were held under the theme “Midwives: A Vital Climate Solution,” recognising the essential part midwives play in adapting health systems to climate change and reducing overall carbon emissions.
Climate change poses an unprecedented health challenge, affecting every aspect of life, with women and babies being among the most vulnerable to these changes.
Speaking at the belated celebrations held at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini said midwives played a critical role in supporting interventions to reduce maternal mortality as well as the mitigation of climate change impacts on women and children.
“Globally, health care services emit about five percent of greenhouse gases, resulting in global warming and climate change. Midwives mitigate these effects by encouraging women to plan and prepare for pregnancy through family planning, including pre-conceptual care,” he said.
Zimbabwe is among the many African countries that have been affected by the El Nino-induced drought this season, which has resulted in more than seven million people countrywide being food insecure.
According to a recent study by the World Bank, climate change might result in an increase of 68 to 135 million people worldwide falling into poverty by 2030 and would result in many fatalities annually due to malnutrition.
Deputy Minister Kwidini said midwives were a vital solution in adapting health systems to climate change. “The call now is on the midwives to take action in their own capacity in coming up with a sustainable midwife care system. We are on the right track.
“Midwifery practices, which prioritise the well-being of both mother and child while minimising environmental impact to ensure a healthier future for the coming generations.
“As we celebrate this great day, let us applaud the midwives for participating in environmental conservation and advocating for the needed changes to ensure a sustainable future for the community at large,” he added.
Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Per Lindgarde said midwives made the difference between life and death for newborn babies and their mothers. “For this, they deserve our heartfelt respect and recognition. Every woman has the right to life-saving health care. Midwives are critical to make that happen. As we commemorate International Day of Midwives, let us continue to fully appreciate the skills and contributions of midwives and invest in them to safeguard life and protect the health and well-being of women and newborns and communities at large,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives president, Sister Moreblessing Mapfumo said midwives were a vital climate solution in adapting health systems to climate change and lowering carbon emissions.
“Midwives help communities adapt, deliver safe and environmentally sustainable services. They also help communities to adapt to climate change and they are the first responders during climate change. So IDM 2024, this is a day for celebrations and highlighting how important the day of the midwife is. It is also a call for action for our planet and also for midwifery.
“Continuity of midwifery care enhances health outcomes and contributes to environmental sustainability and adaptability. By reducing the carbon footprint of health services in making them more climate resilient,” she said.
UNFPA country representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor said Zimbabwe was on the right path to ensure that no woman should die while giving birth.
“The health of the population is hinged on the outcome that says the well-being and health of the population is crucial. And for the well-being and health of the population to be attained, we have to invest not only on the health of the children, but the entire population, including the mothers,” she said.
She said the investment in midwives was supported in the National Development Strategy 1, which sought to ensure universal access to health for all.
“We take the most important current situation. We have cholera that has been there for more than a year, working in partnership and partnership with the Ministry of Health, midwives have been standing there working day and night in the cholera treatment centre to ensure that pregnant women are given the better quality of care, despite the fact that we face the challenge of the cholera situation. Recently, the country has been declared a state of disaster in terms of the El Nino.
“The midwives are also playing a very critical role as they work day and night to provide the necessary care for the pregnant woman, for the newborn babies,” she said. — The Herald.
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