Amman, May 5 (Petra) - Jordan joined the global community on Tuesday, May 5, to celebrate the International Day of the Midwife, an occasion that has taken on heightened significance in 2026 as the world grapples with a critical shortage of maternal health specialists. This year’s theme, "One Million More Midwives," highlights a pressing global deficit that the Higher Population Council (HPC) identifies as the primary hurdle to eliminating preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. The Council issued a statement emphasizing that midwives are not merely healthcare providers but the structural backbone of reproductive safety, particularly in their role as advisors on family planning, breastfeeding, and nutrition during periods of regional instability.

Current data from the Department of Statistics underscores Jordan's success in institutionalizing professional birth attendance. An impressive 99.9 percent of all births in the Kingdom are now supervised by skilled health professionals, a standard that has directly contributed to a notable decline in maternal mortality. Recent figures from the Ministry of Health reveal that maternal deaths dropped from 29.8 to 23.7 per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2023. These improvements are managed by a dedicated workforce of 5,324 legal midwives, with the majority serving in the private sector and the Ministry of Health, while others support the Royal Medical Services, university hospitals, and UNRWA facilities.

Looking toward the next decade, the HPC has developed a comprehensive roadmap to meet the healthcare needs of both Jordanian and Syrian populations residing in the Kingdom. Projections suggest that the demand for these specialists will rise to 5,701 by 2030 and reach 6,201 by 2035. This planning assumes a consistent ratio of 184 midwives for every 10,000 pregnancies. Beyond meeting raw numbers, the Council is advocating for a qualitative shift in how the profession is handled, recommending expanded training programs, improved wage structures, and a more robust presence for midwives in national health policy decision-making.

The urgency of these domestic efforts is mirrored by stark global statistics. World Health Organization data indicates that as of 2023, more than 700 women died daily from causes related to pregnancy that could have been prevented with proper intervention. While global maternal mortality has decreased by 40 percent over the last two decades, the vast majority of these tragedies continue to occur in low and middle income countries. By focusing on the "One Million More Midwives" target, the HPC aims to ensure Jordan remains a regional leader in maternal safety while providing the emotional and clinical support necessary for the healthy development of future generations.

//Petra// AA