Midwives play critical health provider role [Lebanon]
Posted almost 9 years ago by Nicholas M Perrino
"On a global scale, experts point to significant need for midwife services, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Asma Kurdahi, of UNFPA Lebanon, shared findings from the 2014 State of the World Midwifery report. Speaking during the conference, Kurdahi cited several reasons for policymakers to increase investment in midwives, among them, midwife assisted birthing is generally a 'more cost effective intervention than physician-led care,' and because midwives 'can help avert two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths worldwide.'
She added that policymakers and health care facilities should focus on midwife workforce retention.
According to the midwifery report, midwives worldwide have improved a number of maternal health outcomes, including reductions in newborn and maternal mortality rates, decreasing the incidence of post-partum depression, and 'increased breastfeeding initiation and duration.'