H.E. Dr. Youssef Mohammed Al Sarkal, Director General of Emirates Health Services, emphasised the critical role of midwives in the health care system at many levels, noting that EHS prioritises assistance for the midwifery profession.
EHS is committed to promoting the midwifery profession through the launch of high-quality programmes such as the "Enhancing the Attractiveness of the Nursing Profession" initiative and the Midwifery Profession and the Scholarship Programme. EHS also supports making midwifery a university major through partnerships and cooperation with educational institutions. He added that EHS has extensive training initiatives designed to strengthen human capital in the sector.
This came as part of celebrations of the International Day of the Midwife on May 5. This year's theme was "Evidence to Reality". His H.E. said EHS is working to achieve its goals regarding the midwifery profession, given its vital importance and significant contributions. These are positively reflected in the achievement of world-class care aligned with the UAE's health care standards and the strategic objectives of EHS.
His Excellency congratulated all staff and associates in the midwifery profession on the occasion of the international day, highlighting the importance of their role in the health-care sector and renewed his unwavering support to them.
Dr. Sumaya Al Blooshi, Director of Nursing at Emirates Health Services, revealed that the number of licenced midwives working across the entity reached 52, and they supervised and performed 350 natural births for low-risk cases during the first quarter of this year, compared to 700 normal births for low-risk cases in 2022, with a rise in the number of deliveries performed by midwives expected this year. She said that EHS supports and encourages midwives to deliver the highest standards of service to realise its vision.
Dr. Al Blooshi said that in line with the International Day of the Midwife, which is celebrated on May 5th each year, midwives play an important role in maintaining the health of women and children by educating and caring for expectant moms during pregnancy, performing low-risk births, and providing the required pre and postoperative care, support, and education.
She emphasised the commitment of EHS to attract and empower skilled midwives with experience and high productivity in line with its strategic directions, strengthen leadership in maternity care programmes, and create a distinctive natural birth experience for less serious cases as well as unique postnatal care for the mother, child, and family.
She said the International Confederation of Midwives report estimated a global shortfall of 900,000 midwives by 2030 and that midwives with the necessary skills and competence can meet 90% of all mother and newborn requests.
EHS is a pioneer in empowering midwives and enhancing their capabilities to meet quality-of-life goals and keep up with the World Health Organization's Global Strategy on Women's, Children's, and Adolescent Health 2016-2030, which supports the Millennium Development Goals Agenda.
As part of its concerted efforts to integrate its plan with the National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery, 2022-2026, Dr. Al Blooshi said EHS is committed to teaching "Midwifery" as a stand-alone specialty to award a bachelor's degree in this discipline. She said EHS offers training programmes and provides its graduates with a special competency system, and only those who obtain a licence from the Ministry of Health and Prevention, hold a bachelor's degree in midwifery or a nursing bachelor's, and have at least one year of midwifery experience are allowed to work as midwives.
Al Blooshi said EHS has held many professional meetings and exchanged experiences with international colleges and institutions, including the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), as part of its strategy.
These meetings are intended to exchange information about field trips to healthcare facilities that offer advanced services to women and children, to pave the way for experience-sharing with midwives connected to these academic associations and universities, to learn about their practices and experiences, and to transfer effective models in accordance with the highest standards.
The Director of Nursing Department emphasised the importance of midwifery in the health care system. During pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal labour, and newborns up to the age of six weeks, care is provided to women and those at risk of low-risk childbirth. She highlighted the role of assisting mothers in breastfeeding for ensuring maternal and newborn health, which was one of the pillars of sustainable development.
She said EHS will take part in the Confederation of Midwives conference, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia, to enable and encourage participants to gain experience and expertise.