THE government has agreed to a long time request of the Tanzania Midwives Association (TAMA) of separating midwifery and nursing cadres, and will soon establish a diploma in midwifery.

Health minister Ummy Mwalimu, making this announcement at the a professional gathering for the International Day of the Midwife in Dar es Salaam yesterday, said the government's efforts to transform the health sector has helped reduce maternal and child mortality by 80 percent.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, opening the commemorative event, appealed to midwives and other hospital officials to increase efficiency in facilitating safe deliveries to further reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.

Observers from major international health agencies pointed out last week that 90per cent of deaths in childbirth occur in hospital premises, thus the worry as to the professional services delivered to expectant mothers in hospitals.

The premier urged TAMA to be in the forefront to discipline some midwives violating ethics and impairing the provision of health services in the country, pointing out that all health cadres are governed by restrictions, professional ethics and guidelines. 

“So everyone should make sure that he/she follows the specific instructions for efficient work,” he stated, reminding the gathering that the government has in the past few years done a great job of improving infrastructure and the service provision environment.

This relates to the construction of modern buildings, rehabilitation of old buildings and construction of staff quarters near health facilities for smooth provision of services. It has procured medical equipment and medicines, ambulances and other tools to uplift quality and on time health services, he elaborated.

The government has also strengthened the whole referral system, in collaboration with stakeholders in the ‘mobilizing maternal health’ phone-in for ambulance programme, building neonatal intensive care units in regional and district hospitals, as well as in some health centres, he said.

These improvements uplift the quality of health services as they have directly touched the working environment of midwives and other workers in the sector, he further noted.

TAMA president Dr Beatrice Mwilike commended the government for the major improvements in health sector infrastructure for the provision of quality services, while Melissa McNeil-Barrett, deputy representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) praised the role played by midwives.

Having a skilled midwife and others with professional midwifery skills when giving birth protect the life of the mother and the child, she said.

This year’s International Day of the Midwife focuses on climate disasters as relating to maternal and new-born care, she said, pointing out that midwives serve as champions of reproductive health. 

UNFPA gives women the choice about if and when they want to start a family since promoting women’s rights and economic resilience helps to reduce family vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, she affirmed.

 “As we celebrate the International Day of the Midwife today, we call for investment, resources, autonomy, and a seat at every decision-making table to include continuity of midwifery care as a cornerstone of health system planning for climate resilience,” the medical diplomat underlined.