May 5 is International Day of the Midwife.

Midwives are health workers who provide essential reproductive, maternal and newborn health service. They play a very important role in informing pregnant women and nursing mothers of essential knowledge of healthcare, including the healthcare methods before, during and after childbirth and breastfeeding for the newborn, and in providing them with high-quality medical service.

Yet globally, there are not enough midwives, and many of the existing midwives are unable to work to their full scope of practice.

A recently published international research study lays out new global evidence that clearly shows the scale of the challenge. The findings confirm that without urgent investment in midwifery education, employment, regulation and leadership, many countries will face severe workforce shortages in the healthcare sector for the women and newborn. These gaps translate directly into poorer outcomes for them and place unnecessary strain on the already stretched health system.

According to the study, to solve such problems, it is needed to improve midwifery education, ensure that midwives are fairly paid and actively involve them in medical service and, by doing so, it will be possible to decrease maternal and newborn deaths and improve medical service conditions and environment. Investment in midwives is one of the smartest investments the health sector can make.

At present, it is said that at least one million more midwives are needed worldwide to meet the healthcare needs and create practical conditions and opportunities for radically improving the quality of care.

Therefore, the International Confederation of Midwives set the theme for International Day of the Midwife 2026 as “One Million More Midwives” and appealed to all governments and policy-makers in the world to make joint efforts.

To this end, it is important to increase investment in midwives, regarding them as vital healthcare providers, and formulate and enforce policies to enable them to deliver safe care to the women and newborn.

In the DPRK, where human life is valued most, state measures have constantly been taken to protect women’s health.

It sees to it that the ranks of midwives are steadily strengthened and their qualifications and abilities improved so that all of them can provide active medical service with love for and devotion to people.

While giving preferential treatment to midwives, it ensures they have influence over relevant decisions and collaborate equitably with other professionals in taking measures for improving the quality of care.

Thanks to the sincere devotion of competent midwives and other health workers, pregnant women and nursing mothers enjoy high-quality medical benefits at the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital and other hospitals equipped with modern medical facilities.

The country also keeps increasing investment in the health workers and sector.