Date: 2017-05-06

On Friday 5 May, on International Day of the Midwife, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, the Global Goodwill Ambassador of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa made a courtesy call on the Nigerian Minister of Health Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole. The meeting was organised to discuss the imminent need to increase investment in midwifery, in order to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria.

Mrs. Saraki noted that: “I believe that it is the power of three that will change and revolutionise communities, countries, and continents. The power of three is a well-equipped, respected trained midwife; a healthy and informed mother; and a protected and safe baby.  The power of three will improve and transform maternal and newborn health.”

Mrs. Saraki continued: “Midwives are essential to the health of women, mothers, and adolescent girls. It is through midwives that mothers in our MamaCare antenatal and postnatal classes have learnt about pregnancy, labour, their mental and physical health; and the health of their newborns. Our midwives move beyond just talking about health, they also talk about sensitive topics. Our midwives teach mothers about financial independence, respectful relationships, female genital mutilation; and mental health.”

Today on International Day of the Midwife, I am calling for global reform and investment in midwifery. Data has shown that with a skilled midwife or birth attendant the risk of stillbirths or death due to intrapartum-related complications can be reduced by 20% and unfortunately there is still 25% of births without skilled birth attendants.”

“There is an urgent need to increase investment in midwifery in Nigeria, as still we have the second worst maternal and newborn mortality rates globally.  Without an increase in midwives in Nigeria and improved equipment and training for the midwives, we will not improve maternal and newborn health nationally.”

“I ask the Federal Government of Nigeria and international policymakers to invest in midwifery and midwives, because investing in a midwife is investing in the power of three, the mother, the newborn and the midwife.”

In partnership with ICM and Medical Aid Films, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa also launched the “A Midwife Like Me” film today. The film shows the incredible work midwives across the world are doing to inform and empower women and their families and the voiceover was done by Mrs. Saraki.

To continue the celebrations of International Day Of the Midwife, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa today anda next week will be doing the following:

?    Today, the WBFA has donated 200 Sets of Comprehensive WBFA IDP Relief Materials Dignity Packages to NANNMS in support of their outreach effort to Kuchigoro ad-hocIDP Settlement, which is unregistered by the Federal Government, and thus an area of unmet need.
?    Monday 8th, a courtesy call to by UNFPA Acting Director to H.E Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder-President WBFA.
?    Friday 5th - International Day of the Midwife, Courtesy Call by NANNMS Midwives to ICM Global Goodwill Ambassador, WBFA Donation of IDP Relief Materials to NANNMS
?    Friday 5th - Courtesy Call of ICM Global Goodwill Ambassador and NANNMS Midwives to Honorable Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole.
?    Tuesday 8th - visiting to Gwagwalada College of Nursing and Midwifery, Keynote Address by HE Mrs Toyin Saraki to NANNMS Midwives Annual Retreat
?    Friday 12th - Keynote Address as NANNMS Annual General Meeting and Launch of Nigeria Nursing Week, by HE Mrs Toyin Saraki