Lesotho to Mark International Midwifery Day with Commemorative Event at Nazareth Health Centre
Lesotho will join the global community in commemorating International Midwifery Day this Friday, May 9, with a special event at Nazareth Health Centre. The celebration will be led by the Independent Midwives Association, in collaboration with key health stakeholders and development partners.
Observed every year on May 5, International Midwifery Day honours the critical role midwives play in safeguarding the health and well-being of women, newborns, and families. This year’s theme, “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis,” highlights their frontline role in emergency response and life-saving maternal care, particularly in challenging conditions.
The day’s events will begin with a healthy fun walk, followed by speeches from dignitaries, healthcare professionals, and community members. An award ceremony will also be held to honour midwives who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to maternal and newborn health in Lesotho.
In a statement, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) emphasized the importance of midwives in crisis settings. “Women in crisis-affected areas are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes due to limited access to quality reproductive health services,” the statement noted. “Midwives are often the first, and sometimes the only, healthcare providers available to deliver life-saving care.”
Midwives play a vital role in reaching remote and underserved communities, ensuring safe deliveries even during natural disasters or conflict. They are key to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, expanding access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, and responding to gender-based violence, which tends to rise during times of crisis.
UNFPA has been working closely with the Government of Lesotho to improve midwifery education and practice as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the country’s high maternal mortality rate, which stands at 530 deaths per 100,000 live births. By supporting skilled birth attendants and expanding access to reproductive health services, the aim is to create safer pregnancies and healthier families across Lesotho.
Friday’s event at Nazareth Health Centre is expected to draw healthcare professionals, government officials, development partners, and members of the community in a shared show of appreciation for midwives and their indispensable contributions to national health.
