21/05/2026
“International Day of the Midwife 2026” was commemorated by the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Program with the support of UNFPA under the global theme, “One Million More Midwives,” highlighting the urgent need to strengthen and expand the midwifery workforce worldwide.
Under the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, the directions of Honourable Minister for Health, Bakht Muhammad Kakar, and the guidance of Secretary Health, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, the MNCH Program, in collaboration with valued partners including UNFPA, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), IRC, and IDSP, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and empowering Community Midwives through the provision of professional development opportunities and due recognition of their indispensable role in the healthcare system.
This commitment holds particular significance in Balochistan, the country’s largest province by area, characterized by vast distances and a widely scattered population, where Community Midwives continue to serve underserved and hard-to-reach communities under challenging circumstances.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Health Mujeeb-ur-Rehman stated that midwives play a vital role in saving the lives of mothers and newborns and serve as the backbone of safe childbirth services. He further stated that the purpose of observing the day was to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, hard work, and professional services of midwives.
Addressing the ceremony, Director General Health Services Dr. Amin Mandokhail, Provincial Coordinator MNCH Program Dr. Gul Sabeen Azam, Provincial Head UNFPA Saadia Atta, Director Nursing Kulsoom Iqbal, Dr. Noor Khajak (IHHN), Dr. Ahmed Wali, Dr. Noor Hassan (UNICEF), Dr. Zafar Khosti (Gates Foundation), and Zahida Kakar emphasized that behind every safe delivery lies the tireless effort, commitment, and professional expertise of midwives, particularly those serving in remote and underserved areas where their contributions remain highly commendable.
The speakers reaffirmed the Government of Balochistan’s commitment to continue strengthening professional training, capacity building, and support mechanisms for midwives in order to further improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes across the province.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Secretary Health Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Dr. Gul Sabeen Azam, Saadia Atta, midwives, and other officials lit candles to express solidarity and support for International Day of the Midwife, honoring the dedication and invaluable contributions of midwives towards maternal and newborn health in Balochistan. Shields were also distributed among participants by the Secretary Health and Director General Health Services and Community Midwifery Kits, Clean Delivery Kits were displayed.
