Regional Strategic Directions for strengthening Midwifery in the South-East Asia Region 2020–2024

Overview

• Member States in the Region are making progress. Bangladesh, India and Nepal have in recent years introduced midwifery education. They joined DPR Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste in establishing midwives as an independent cadre of the health workforce. Regardless of the types and style of midwifery cadre, all countries must identify the policies and plans of action required to maximize the strength and quality of professionals those who provide midwifery services.
• This document is designed to guide Member States and partners to assess, develop and strengthen midwifery education and services in a systematic and harmonized manner. It provides a set of key elements, strategic directions and key actions to support countries.
• Member States are encouraged to use this document to understand and examine gaps and chart the way forward for improving midwifery education and services which will contribute to reduce all preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths and accelerate towards the 2030 SDG targets.