SUSTAINABLE MIDWIFERY: CARING FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD



Table of Contents
Introduction:
Annually, on May 5th, the world commemorates the International Day of Midwives. This day acknowledges the critical role midwives play in ensuring women’s safe journey during childbirth. The midwife has long been vital to maternal healthcare, providing empathetic, comprehensive, and evidence-based care to women and their families.
Roles:
As women prepare for motherhood, their expertise and knowledge are crucial to enhancing maternal well-being and strengthening them. Midwives are an integral part of the reproductive health care delivery team and play a fundamental role in achieving sustainable development goals. They manage pregnancies, take care of clients with obstetric issues, and work to meet the diverse needs and preferences of expectant mothers, aiming for safe and positive childbirth experiences. Midwives are critical in ensuring sexual reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services are included in all levels of services.
History:
Midwifery traces its roots to ancient times. It is among humanity’s oldest professions. Its practice dates to the biblical era. However, formal education in midwifery emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Ghana, midwifery has been a longstanding tradition, with women historically relying on the expertise of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), esteemed for their skill and spiritual leadership in childbirth rituals and traditions. The first cohort of formally trained midwives in Ghana graduated in 1930, marking a pivotal moment in addressing maternal and infant mortality.
Initially, midwifery training was tailored for registered nurses, expanding to accommodate individuals seeking a diploma or degree over three to four years. This expansion aimed to mitigate midwife shortages that compromised healthcare quality, contributing to escalating maternal and infant mortality rates.

Our story:
Tain District Hospital started as a Health Center in 1965 and was upgraded to a hospital by Ghana Health Service in 2010. After its upgrade, the facility was managed by a medical officer who doubled as the Medical Superintendent and an elderly midwife, Mrs. Irene Tsibey who was the Nurse Manager as well. Stories abound of newly qualified midwives refusing postings to this remote facility. However, in 2011, two dedicated midwives accepted postings and took up roles in the facility irrespective of the challenges that beckoned. The two, Ms. Stella Kwei Annim and Ms. Hilda Birago will forever have their names cast in gold.
The arrival of these midwives marked a major milestone for the hospital. Maternal and reproductive health care delivery in the district was significantly improved. They established and managed a Maternity Unit and subsequently created an Antenatal and Postnatal Care Unit, Labour and Delivery Unit, Lying-in Unit, and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This was with the support of other general nurses and nurse assistants.
They managed referrals from the two districts of Tain and Banda and occasionally embarked on public education. To improve hospital deliveries and reduce home or unskilled deliveries, the team went the extra mile of even feeding clients occasionally.
These midwives also took up the extraordinary duty of providing warmth (skin-to-skin) for neonates whose mothers weren’t stable due to the absence of incubators. The team’s dedication resulted in multiple years of zero maternal mortalities and improved neonatal outcomes. As young midwives, they also served as role models to young ladies and inspired some into the midwifery profession.
Currently, the facility has 34 midwives and has seen major improvements in healthcare in various reproductive health needs.
International Day of Midwives:
To mark the International Day of Midwives, general staff and midwives of the Hospital were involved in a weeklong celebration. The IT department worked tirelessly in putting up a countdown with videos of interviews from all staff. The weeklong celebration commenced with a launch during our weekly clinical meeting. Subsequently, public education was conducted on radio and in the two senior high schools in the district. Topics covered included the career path of midwifery, and reproductive health amongst others. During the phone-in session of the radio presentation, enormous appreciation was shown by the public.
The main purpose of the weeklong event was to express gratitude and appreciate the resilient efforts of midwives who assist families in distant and difficult places. It was to celebrate their remarkable experiences and selfless service to humanity in the face of adversity. Many midwives shared their stories of perseverance and compassion, detailing their journeys of caring for expectant mothers and families in remote areas with limited access to healthcare.
The celebration in Tain District Hospital paid a heartwarming tribute to these unsung heroes of healthcare delivery, midwives. These compassionate and skilled healthcare providers serve as lifelines to families.
Their tireless efforts, devotion, and commitment to promoting healthy families in the face of adverse circumstances deserve the utmost appreciation and support. The weeklong program acknowledged their contribution and aimed to boost their morale. It was also to inspire them to continue their noble mission of caring for humanity with unwavering dedication and encourage the young to pick up Midwifery as a profession.

Conclusion:
We take this opportunity to thank all staff who, in diverse ways, carried out their duties and have contributed to our success stories.
We also acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Madam Yaa Kyei, in mentoring staff and ensuring all were guided in performing their roles.
Kudos to our midwives.
References:
Article by Ms. Catherine Jane Baidoo , Ms. Kawusar Mohammed & Madam Stella Kwei Annin