Government has announced an ambitious drive to strengthen the country's midwifery workforce through expanded training, digital learning platforms and retention measures as part of broader efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The interventions come amid growing demand for maternal health services and concerns over the loss of experienced health professionals through migration.
Speaking during this year's International Day of the Midwife commemorations in Bulawayo, Deputy minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said Government remained committed to investing in the training and retention of midwives.
"We are committed to increasing our investment in training, fair compensation and retention of midwives as outlined in our Health Workforce Strategy and Investment Compact," he said.
The commemorations were held under the theme "One Million More Midwives", highlighting the global shortage of midwives and the need for increased investment in maternal and newborn healthcare services.
Kwidini said strengthening the midwifery workforce was critical to achieving the country's goal of ending preventable maternal deaths and ensuring safer motherhood.
Keep Reading
- Drug theft scandal rocks UBH
- MPs demand answers on mpox response plan
- Govt despatches team to tackle Kariba cholera cases
- Cholera scare as cases top 70 in Kariba
Zimbabwe currently has 22 midwifery training schools and plans are underway to increase enrolment as part of efforts to expand the health workforce by 2030.
Government has also introduced a national e-learning platform for pre-service and in-service midwifery training to improve access to learning opportunities while allowing health workers to remain in active service.
In addition, post-basic midwifery training has been reduced from two years to one year after qualification as a registered general nurse to accelerate the production of skilled personnel.
Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives president, Farai Marenga, said staff shortages remained a major challenge in the sector.
"The reality of the brain drain is visible in our understaffed wards, where one midwife often does the work of three or even more.
"We see it in the burnout and exhaustion of our colleagues," she said.
She said while training more midwives was important, retaining experienced personnel was equally critical.
At health institutions across the country, midwives continue to play a central role in maternal and newborn healthcare delivery despite resource and staffing challenges.
Mpilo Central Hospital midwife, Sikhangele Mguni, said the profession remained rewarding despite the pressures.
"I enjoy midwifery because, to me, it gives me the satisfaction that I am saving humanity and playing a part in bringing lives into this world," she said.