Midwifery Services in India

 Midwifery services play a crucial role in providing maternal and newborn care in India, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. Midwives are trained healthcare professionals who specialize in childbirth and the postnatal period. They provide a range of services, including antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, and family planning services.

In India, the role of midwives has gained recognition in recent years, with the government launching initiatives to strengthen midwifery services. The National Health Policy (2017) recognizes midwives as an essential component of the healthcare workforce and aims to increase the number of midwives in the country.

The government has also launched several programs to improve midwifery services, such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which provides cash incentives to pregnant women who deliver in a health facility with the assistance of a skilled birth attendant, including a midwife. The government has also launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which aims to strengthen primary healthcare services, including midwifery services.

Despite these initiatives, there are still several challenges facing midwifery services in India. One major challenge is the shortage of trained midwives. According to a report by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), India has only 0.2 midwives per 1,000 population, which is significantly lower than the WHO-recommended ratio of 2.5 midwives per 1,000 population. This shortage of trained midwives leads to a high burden on existing midwives and limits access to quality maternal and newborn care in many areas.

Another challenge facing midwifery services in India is the lack of recognition and respect for midwives as healthcare professionals. Midwives are often viewed as less qualified than doctors and nurses, which limits their role in decision-making processes and restricts their scope of practice. This lack of recognition and respect also affects their remuneration and working conditions, leading to a shortage of qualified midwives and a high turnover rate.

In conclusion, while initiatives have been launched to improve midwifery services in India, there are still several challenges facing this critical aspect of maternal and newborn care. The government needs to address the shortage of trained midwives by increasing investment in midwifery education and training programs. Additionally, there is a need to recognize and respect the role of midwives as essential components of the healthcare workforce and provide them with adequate remuneration and working conditions. By addressing these challenges, India can ensure that all women have access to quality maternal and newborn care through skilled birth attendants, including midwives.