Regional Commissioner credits midwifery progress to leadership and persistence, highlighting the work done under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Fasasi. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga – In the heart of Shinyanga, a sense of warmth, pride, and determination filled the air. Yesterday, May 5, 2025, Tanzania joined the global community in commemorating International Midwives Day. This wasn’t just another ceremony—it felt like a heartfelt acknowledgment of the men and women who walk alongside mothers through some of the most vulnerable and powerful moments of life.
As music, dance, and voices of celebration filled the venue, the occasion carried a deeper message—a renewed commitment by the Tanzanian government to dramatically reduce maternal mortality. The goal is bold: bring the number of maternal deaths down to 70 for every 100,000 live births by 2030.
This ambition, as Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha reminded the gathering, reflects years of focus and progress. Back in 2015, the country recorded 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. By 2022, that number had fallen to 104—a significant achievement, yet still a reminder that more needs to be done.
Macha credited this progress to leadership and persistence, highlighting the work done under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan. But numbers alone can’t tell the full story.
There’s the quiet resilience of midwives working long hours, the mothers who now feel safe choosing to deliver in health centers, and the families spared from heartbreak. The number of women giving birth in health facilities has grown steadily, from 63% in 2016 to 81% today.
Dr. Yudas Ndungile, the Shinyanga Regional Medical Officer, reflected on how improved infrastructure has helped shift these outcomes. Over the past few years, Tanzania has built four new hospitals, renovated two older ones, added 18 health centers, and launched 86 additional service points dedicated to maternal care. Behind each brick and beam, there’s a promise of care, safety, and hope.
That promise is kept daily by midwives, who, according to the Ministry of Health’s representative Saturini Manangwa, provide over 90% of maternal and child health services across the country.
These professionals are often the first and last touchpoints in a mother’s journey through childbirth. It’s not just clinical expertise they bring—it’s empathy, intuition, and calm in times of crisis. Manangwa reminded the audience that beyond skills, it's their values and integrity that shape the care they give.
Dr. Beatrice Mwilike, president of the Tanzania Midwives Association, put it simply: midwives are saving lives. Her voice carried a sense of both urgency and gratitude as she noted that midwives contribute to 87% of maternal death reductions.
She also took a moment to thank President Samia for fostering policies that support healthcare workers, especially midwives, through better training, working conditions, and recognition. But Dr. Mwilike didn’t stop there—she called on the government to expand the number of midwives and include them in emergency response committees, recognizing that childbirth doesn’t pause for disasters.
This year’s theme, “Midwives: A Vital Pillar in Every Crisis,” felt especially fitting. In every corner of the world—from war zones to rural villages—midwives stand as a calm force in the storm.
The day isn’t just about statistics or speeches; it’s about reflecting on their lived experience. For those who’ve delivered babies during blackouts, floods, or epidemics, the theme is more than symbolic—it’s personal.
The story of International Midwives Day itself traces back to 1992 when the International Confederation of Midwives launched the global observance. Since then, every May 5th has become a moment to honor midwives' crucial contributions and push for continued support. For many in Tanzania, this isn’t just about a date on the calendar—it’s about acknowledging everyday heroes in our communities.
Around the world, other countries offer inspiration. Rwanda and Ethiopia have embraced community-based health delivery systems to bring care closer to women. Sri Lanka and Malaysia, by prioritizing maternal health within national planning, have achieved incredibly low maternal mortality rates. These examples show what's possible when political will, policy, and people align.
But yesterday in Shinyanga, the focus wasn’t on global rankings—it was on shared humanity. The heartfelt gratitude, the emotional testimonies, the promise to do more—it all came together in a celebration that felt intimate and real. The kind where midwives don’t just feel seen—they feel valued.
The celebration closed with a sense of renewed purpose, the sun casting a golden hue over the hills of Shinyanga. One thing was clear: the journey to 2030 continues. With every trained midwife, every newly built or renovated health center, and every baby safely delivered, Tanzania edges closer to a future where no mother has to fear childbirth. And that’s a goal truly worth standing behind.
