International Midwives days celebrated

By Henry Booysen
05 May 2008

International midwives day is being celebrated today.

According to MEC for Health Pierre Uys midwives are highly skilled professionals who form a critical part of the health system especially in executing quality service to mothers and their new born babies.

“The aim of the day is to celebrate midwifery and to raise awareness of the importance of a midwife’s task as a health professional,” he said.

It is important to note that nurses’ training include that of midwifery which is to train students to provide expecting mothers with the required care throughout their pregnancy, childbirth and then the newborn period to inform mothers that childbirth is normal and a noteworthy life event.

“Midwives are indeed privileged to assist parents and families during what must be one of the most precious moments in their lives by providing pregnant mothers with centred care and support during pregnancy, birth and post natal period,” says the Minister.

In 2007 there were 95 279 births at public health facilities in the Western Cape, therefore the importance of midwives serves as a crucial constituent to the health sector.