MIDWIVES NOT HAPPY WITH RECRUITMENT OF ONLY 230 MIDWIVES IN THE RECENT EMPLOYMENT OF HEALTH WORKERS

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MIDWIVES NOT HAPPY WITH RECRUITMENT OF ONLY 230 MIDWIVES IN THE RECENT EMPLOYMENT OF HEALTH WORKERSWORKERS
By Chileshe Mwango

The Midwives Association of Zambia has expressed concern on the low number of midwives that have been employed in the recent employment of over 11,000 health workers by government.

Association President Sarah Ngoma says it is disappointing that only 230 midwives have been recruited out of 11,276, compared to other cadres such as clinical officers despite the country having a critical shortage of skilled birth attendants.

Ms. Ngoma has disclosed that Zambia needs more midwives than nurses now, saying the current gap stands at 9,000 midwives with a ratio of 1 midwife to 1,000 clients.

In a statement, Ms. Ngoma says this is unacceptable considering that Zambia is losing an average of 15 women and more than 60 newborns per week.

She adds that it is unfortunate that realizing the position in which Zambia is today, the country may not meet Sustainable Development Goal number 3 which is about ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all including pregnant women by 2030.


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