International Day of the Midwife highlights global staffing shortages

On May 5th, the International Day of the Midwife was observed, with professional associations PASYDY and PASYNM highlighting the vital role of midwives in healthcare systems. A major focal point was the International Confederation of Midwives' campaign titled 'One Million More Midwives', which addresses an estimated global deficit of 980,000 midwives across 181 countries. This shortage is currently impeding access to essential maternal and neonatal care and is projected to persist through 2030 at current training rates. The Eastern Mediterranean region is particularly affected, accounting for 26% of the global deficit, with ongoing conflicts further exacerbating the crisis. Professional bodies emphasize that insufficient support and poor working conditions contribute to staff attrition, further straining healthcare systems. In Cyprus, the integration of community midwifery into the General Healthcare System has been highlighted as a step toward improving direct access to care. Organizations are calling for urgent investment in midwifery to ensure quality services and strengthen maternal and newborn health outcomes.