The UNFPA also stated that well-trained midwives together with a recruitment, deployment and retention plan could help avert roughly two-thirds of all maternal and newborn deaths. 

KATHMANDU, Jan 17: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has welcomed the government's move to introduce the Bachelor's in Midwifery program in Nepal. 

The UN body has stated that the introduction of the program in the country is an important milestone toward improving maternal and newborn health in the country, reads a press statement issued by UNFPA on Monday.  

The National Academy of Medical Science and Kathmandu University had started the Bachelor in Midwifery program from January 5 in a bid to implement the government's long-term strategy of making midwifery an independent profession by producing professional midwives. 

“We commend the National Academy of Medical Science and Kathmandu University for starting the Bachelor's in Midwifery courses as midwives are key to reducing maternal mortality,” said UNFPA Country Representative to Nepal Giulia Vallese in the statement.  

Vallese said that recognizing their importance in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality as well as morbidities contributes to making every pregnancy wanted and every birth safe. 
 
The UNFPA also stated that well-trained midwives together with a recruitment, deployment and retention plan could help avert roughly two-thirds of all maternal and newborn deaths. 

Midwives are one of the most cost-effective and culturally sensitive path to achieving universal health care, if practicing in an enabling environment and supported by regulations, read the statement.  

Nepal has made tremendous progress in reducing maternal mortality from 901 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 258 in 2015, according to the Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group comprising WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. 

UNFPA has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners in advancing midwifery education since 2009. 

“We hope that the government will soon prepare a recruitment, deployment, retention and career plan for the future midwives so that when they graduate they can quickly be deployed for service. UNFPA stands ready to support the government further in strengthening midwifery,” said Vallese.

 
• united nations population fund
 
• bachelor's in midwifery program