The Midwifery services framework: What is it, and why is it needed?. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nove, Andrea; Hoope-Bender, Petra ten; Moyo, Nester T.; Bokosi, Martha
• Is Part Of: Midwifery. Volume 57(2018)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: AAAQ availability, accessibility, acceptability, quality -- ERA education, regulation, association -- HRH human resources for health -- ICM International Confederation of Midwives -- MDG millennium development goal -- MMR maternal mortality ratio (maternal deaths per 100, 000 live births) -- MSF Midwifery Services Framework -- PMNCH Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health -- SDG sustainable development goal -- SRHR sexual and reproductive health and rights -- SRMNH sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health -- TWG technical working group -- UNFPA United Nations Population Fund -- WHO World Health Organisation; Midwifery -- Health workforce -- Sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health -- Human resources for health -- Sustainable development goals -- Universal health coverage; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Sages-femmes -- Périodiques; Midwifery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.2005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-6138

Abstract

Abstract: Most low- and middle-income countries failed to meet the Millennium Development Goal targets for maternal, newborn and child health, and even more ambitious targets have been set under the Sustainable Development Goals and the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality initiative. This means that many countries will need to accelerate progress on sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health over the next few years. Recent years have seen the publication of a large and convincing body of evidence about the potential of midwifery to make a significant contribution to this acceleration, but little practical guidance has emerged to help countries invest in midwifery services so that their health systems can meet the increasing need for sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health care. To help fill this gap, the International Confederation of Midwives designed and launched the Midwifery Services Framework, a new tool to guide countries through the process of strengthening and developing their midwifery services. This first of a series of three papers introduces the MSF, explains why it is needed, how it was developed, its guiding principles and its anticipated outcomes and impact. The other two papers explain the process of implementing the Midwifery Services Framework, and lessons learned in the first countries to start implementation. Highlights: Acceleration is needed in progress on sexual, reproductive, maternal&newborn health. Investing in the midwifery workforce is an effective strategy for improving outcomes. The Midwifery Services Framework (MSF) provides guidance on how to do this. This paper introduces the MSF, explains why it is needed and how it was developed. It is a modular tool, applicable in all contexts.