Ghana is grappling with a critical shortage of midwives, a situation mirroring a global crisis that necessitates approximately one million additional midwives to ensure safe childbirth. This crisis is exacerbated by a continuous outflow of healthcare professionals from Ghana, with an estimated 3,000 nurses and midwives emigrating annually seeking improved working conditions and remuneration abroad. The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Midwives Society are calling for urgent, comprehensive national strategies to address the persistent workforce gaps, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
A Deepening Workforce Crisis
The demand for midwifery services in Ghana continues to escalate, yet significant workforce deficits remain. Philimon Adu Brempong, Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the GRNMA, highlighted this disparity during a symposium in Kumasi, held to commemorate the International Day of the Midwife. He stressed that simply increasing the number of trained midwives will not solve the problem.
An effective strategy, according to Brempong, must encompass fair distribution of midwives across the country, significantly improved working conditions, and robust opportunities for continuous professional development. He also emphasized the need for clear career progression pathways and measures to combat burnout among existing staff.
Rural Communities Bear the Brunt
A major concern is the imbalance in midwife distribution, with urban areas often overstaffed while rural communities face acute shortages. This disparity directly impacts access to essential maternal and neonatal care for many pregnant women.
Professor Veronica Millucu Dzomeku, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at KNUST, underscored the indispensable role midwives play in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. She explained that midwives provide comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
The Global Impact of Midwifery
Midwives are crucial in preventing complications, identifying risks early, and ensuring that mothers and newborns receive dignified and respectful care. Their work not only facilitates safe births but also strengthens trust in health systems and contributes to healthier families and communities.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Professor Dzomeku noted that a maternal death occurs globally approximately every two minutes, with most of these fatalities being preventable. Adequately resourced and supported midwives are key to averting these tragedies.
The WHO estimates that strengthening midwifery care could prevent up to 4.3 million deaths worldwide by 2035. Quality midwifery services have the potential to prevent 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths, and 65% of stillbirths.
Urgent Investment Needed
Professor Dzomeku advocated for immediate investment in midwifery education, characterizing it as one of the most cost-effective interventions for improving maternal and newborn survival. She called for increased faculty numbers, enhanced simulation laboratories, modernized evidence-based curricula, and strong mentorship programs.
She urged government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to act decisively based on existing evidence to bolster the midwifery profession.
Patient Engagement and Future Outlook
Gertrude Adomako Mensah, Regional Coordinator for the Midwives Society, encouraged expectant mothers to prioritize antenatal care by attending regular hospital check-ups. She also urged midwives to intensify counseling for pregnant women, emphasizing the vital role of patient engagement in achieving better safe delivery outcomes.
The persistent shortage and the ongoing emigration of skilled professionals pose a significant threat to maternal and child health in Ghana. Future efforts will likely focus on retention strategies, improved working conditions, and targeted interventions to ensure equitable distribution of midwives, especially in remote areas. Continued investment in education and professional development will be critical to meeting the growing demand and achieving global health targets.
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