Trained midwives can save lives, seminar told

Almost 65 percent of women deliver at home, while one third of the pregnant women in the country have no prenatal care, which causes an abrupt increase in deaths during the delivery. This was stated by Imran Akhtar Asim, Managing Director (MD) Spectrum Advertising Agency, while delivering a lecture here at a local hotel on Monday.
He said the current scenario of prenatal, childbirth and post natal care in the country particularly in rural areas shows that only 61percent of the women had at least one prenatal visit with a skilled healthcare provider, while one-third of the pregnant women had no prenatal care at all.
Talking about the role of midwives in the society, he said traditional taboos are the hindrance in recognising the importance of midwives, which are different from traditional untrained midwives. A well-educated, trained and skilled midwife can save the life of both mother and the new-born, he added.
He said the Agency and Takmeel Health Project (THP) in collaboration with Ministry of Health (MoH) would launch a campaign to train and highlight the role of midwife in the society. USAID has sponsored the campaign for improving mother and child health during and after the delivery, he added.
In his presentation, he said the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that the total 2973 births dealt by midwives in India during 2002-08 and only one death was recorded during the period. In Pakistan, the midwives are divided into four cadres, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), Registered Nurses/Registered Midwives (RNs/RMs), Community Midwives (CMWs) and Pupil midwives and all meet the international definition of the midwives.
Midwives are trained professionals who are qualified in midwifery by a duly recognised midwifery educational programme recognised by the government and are competent professionals who can conduct births on their own responsibility, give necessary care and advice during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and the postpartum care for the mother and the new-born at home, hospitals and clinics, he said.
He said the government is working to promote and highlight the significance of midwives to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by writing about the midwifery profession and spreading awareness in the society.