By Doris Obinna
National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos State has called for urgent investment in midwifery education, improved welfare, and stronger retention strategies to address Nigeria’s high maternal and child mortality rates, in commemoration of International Midwives Day.
The International Midwives Day is marked every year on May 5, this year theme: “One Million More Midwives,” emphasises the urgent global shortage of nearly 980,000 midwives across 181 countries and highlights the need for investment in the midwifery workforce to improve maternal and new born health.
Speaking during a walk at Alausa, Ikeja, to celebrate the event, its chairman, Christianah Adeboboye, emphasised the critical shortage of midwives both globally and within Nigeria. She aligned with the global theme campaign advocating for “one million more midwives,” noting that developing countries bear the brunt of the deficit.
Adeboboye described midwives as central to safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, stressing that their role remains indispensable in reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. She urged governments at all levels, as well as international partners, to prioritise the expansion of midwifery training institutions and increase the production of qualified professionals.
“Our hands are healing hands. We are here to save women, their babies, and the family and community at large. But we cannot do this effectively without adequate support, infrastructure, and continuous training,” she said.
She highlighted the need for sustained professional development, arguing that evolving healthcare challenges require constant updating of knowledge and skills. According to her, improving facilities, providing modern equipment, and ensuring safe working environments are essential to achieving better health outcomes.
Addressing the growing trend of health worker migration, commonly referred to as the “Japa” phenomenon, Adeboboye called for deliberate retention policies. She pointed to poor remuneration and lack of recognition as major factors driving skilled midwives out of the country.
“Midwives are specialists, yet there is no specialist allowance for them. If we want them to stay, we must treat them as the professionals they are, with appropriate incentives and recognition.”
She also advocated for non-monetary incentives, including improved housing, transportation, and working conditions, particularly for those serving in remote and riverine communities where access to healthcare remains limited.
Also, Director Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdussalam underscored the urgency of addressing the shortage, noting that Africa accounts for nearly half of the global midwifery deficit. He said Nigeria’s maternal mortality indicators remain a concern despite ongoing government interventions.
He cited the establishment of maternal and child health centers across Lagos and the approval of a new University of Medical and Health Sciences as steps aimed at increasing the healthcare workforce. He added that the state government is also exploring collaborations with the diaspora to encourage knowledge transfer and “brain gain.”
Abdussalam stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, urging corporate organizations to support healthcare initiatives through their corporate social responsibility efforts. “Government cannot do it alone. We need collective action to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates to the barest minimum.”
Echoing similar sentiments, founder of Pregnancy Lounge, Fossey Akishiko, called on trained but inactive midwives to return to practice, describing their role as a “calling” vital to saving lives.
“We need people who are passionate, Nigeria is our home, and we must build it together by protecting our mothers and children.”
Communication Specialist, Save the Children International, Dr. Itunu Dave-Agboola, highlighted the link between midwifery services and broader child health outcomes, including immunization coverage. She warned that inadequate human resources are placing immense pressure on existing health workers, leading to burnout and reduced efficiency.
Dave-Agboola also raised concerns about quackery, noting that unqualified practitioners continue to endanger lives, particularly in underserved communities. She called for stricter regulation and enforcement to curb the menace.
While acknowledging progress made in Lagos State, she emphasised that more work is needed, especially in reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children in hard-to-reach areas.
Stakeholders at the event collectively agreed that achieving global targets for maternal and child health, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1 and 3.2), will require intensified efforts in training, funding, and retaining skilled midwives, while reiterated that every mother and every child counts, and strengthening midwifery is key to safeguarding their survival.
