On the occasion of International Nurses Week, May 5 is marked as the International Day of the Midwife, a significant global event dedicated to the role of midwives in improving the health of mothers, newborns, and families, with the aim of raising awareness about the midwifery profession and promoting it. Midwifery is one of the most beautiful, responsible, and humane professions, and most midwives spend their May 5 holiday at their workplaces.

The International Day of the Midwife is dedicated to recognizing the essential role midwives play in providing comprehensive care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, offering support, education, and medical expertise, promoting the health and well-being of mothers, babies, and families, advocating for women’s health rights, and reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. This day highlights the importance of midwifery in promoting healthy pregnancies, empowering and informing women to make choices about their care, and ensuring access for all women to skilled attendants during pregnancy and childbirth.

This day was initiated by the International Confederation of Midwives, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of the midwifery profession and emphasizing its contribution to health systems worldwide. It is also an opportunity to highlight the challenges midwives face and to increase investment in midwifery services globally.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), representing over 135 midwifery associations in more than 115 countries, marks International Day of the Midwife 2026 under the theme: “One Million More Midwives,” focusing on:

·         the global shortage of midwives

·         the need for investment in education and employment

·         improving maternal and newborn healthcare

According to them, the world needs about one million more midwives to ensure quality care everywhere. The theme highlights the urgent need for an additional one million midwives worldwide to meet the needs of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health, as well as the health of women and people of diverse gender identities.

The 2026 theme, “One Million More Midwives,” emphasizes the urgent need to increase the number of qualified midwives globally. According to international estimates, the shortage of healthcare workers, especially in midwifery, represents a serious challenge in ensuring quality and accessible healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Midwives play a key role in providing continuous and comprehensive care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Their work contributes to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, improving reproductive health, and advancing health education. Research shows that investing in midwifery care can significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to sustainable community development.

Marking this day in 2026 is a call to policymakers, health institutions, and society as a whole to invest in the education, employment, and retention of midwives. Ensuring proper working conditions, professional development, and recognition of their role is essential for strengthening health systems, achieving fair pay, and protecting the workforce.

Today, the world is facing an “unprecedented number of complex crises,” including natural disasters, conflicts, and the ongoing impacts of climate change. These crises disproportionately affect women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, exposing them to increased risks such as pregnancy complications and gender-based violence, while also limiting their access to essential health services. In such challenging times, midwives are critically important—hence the need for “one million more midwives.” They are trusted first responders in their communities who can help prepare health systems for any crisis. They can provide up to 90% of essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services, even during humanitarian crises.

The International Confederation of Midwives states that even with minimal resources, midwives can ensure safe births, provide antenatal and postnatal care, offer contraception, deliver comprehensive abortion care, support survivors of gender-based violence, promote breastfeeding, ensure safe and adequate newborn nutrition, and educate communities with the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe and healthy during emergencies.

The place of the midwife is at the threshold of life, where intense human emotions—hope, longing, fear, remarkable physical strength, and endurance—allow a new being to emerge. Being part of the happiest moment in a mother’s and a family’s life is a great privilege and honor. Every birth is a story of its own, and the sight of a happy, satisfied, and smiling mother is the greatest reward and privilege of being part of those moments. It is truly special to share in that joy and that magical moment.

The World Health Organization and its global partners annually highlight the importance of midwives in welcoming new life into the world and caring for mothers during and after childbirth.

Despite their importance, many midwives face challenges such as lack of support, low status, and low pay. Midwives save millions of lives each year. Since 1990, the world has seen a steady decline in maternal and newborn mortality, largely due to increased access to skilled midwifery care.

Midwives are an integral part of every childbirth process, and their work is far from easy. The number of employed midwives in our country is discouragingly low. According to the 2024 Workforce Report of the Institute of Public Health, there are 644 midwives employed in healthcare institutions in North Macedonia: 143 with higher education, 7 with post-secondary education, and 494 with secondary-level training.

This means midwives are under constant pressure as they strive to fulfill many responsibilities simultaneously.

Because midwives are directly connected to the health of future mothers and generations, it is crucial to raise public awareness of their immense role within the healthcare system and to support policies and initiatives that promote access to skilled midwifery care, especially in underserved communities.

This date should serve as an opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts midwives invest in their profession, while also urging governments and relevant ministries to take the necessary steps to protect this profession and employ as many qualified midwives as possible. Health systems must ensure increased funding for maternal and newborn healthcare services.

The International Day of the Midwife draws attention to the scale of their contribution to strengthening families and communities. It is an opportunity to express gratitude and respect for midwives for their dedication, expertise, and humanity. Their work not only saves lives but also lays the foundation for healthy future generations.

We thank midwives for their contribution during the most important moments of our lives.

Prepared by: Department for Health Promotion and Disease Surveillance