Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has launched a national midwifery programme in partnership with WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF. The initiative aims to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services nationwide.
The launch took place on Sunday. Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said maternal and child health remains central to Egypt’s healthcare agenda. He noted the country has reduced maternal mortality to 41 deaths per 100,000 live births and aims for 35 by 2030. Midwives will complement obstetricians and gynaecologists. Their duties will cover pre-pregnancy counselling, antenatal care, childbirth support and postnatal home visits. The programme will use defined protocols to manage low-risk pregnancies and refer high-risk cases promptly. Deputy Minister Abla Al-Alfy said nine of the 15 initiatives under the 100 Million Health programme focus on maternal and child health. Evidence-based steps such as neonatal resuscitation and early breastfeeding can lower newborn deaths by up to 22 percent, she added. Representatives from WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF welcomed the programme as a step toward better health outcomes for women and children in Egypt.