May 5 is International Midwives’ Day.
Every year, 289 000 pregnant women and nursing mothers die of complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and the number of stillborn babies amounts to 2.6 million across the world.
The rate of maternal and neonatal deaths is still low in the developing countries, because pregnant women and nursing mothers do not receive medical treatment from competent midwives before, during and after childbirth and because there is a shortage of midwives.
According to the recent study results of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the competent midwife-delivered interventions would avert 41% of maternal deaths, 39% of neonatal deaths, and 26% of stillbirths of the current level in the developing countries, thus saving 2.2 million lives by 2035.
So, the ICM set “Invest in Midwives” as the theme of the 2021 International Midwives’ Day and calls upon all countries to raise public awareness and interest in the midwives, increase the ranks of midwives by training them as required by global standards, and encourage them to assist all pregnant women in childbirth so as to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
Giving social prominence to midwives and according them preferential treatment is a priority issue to guarantee high-quality medical service.
Our country awards an honorary title of merited midwife to those who have rendered distinguished services while working in the sector for a long time to ensure the health of pregnant women and nursing mothers and newborn babies.
In the run-up to International Midwives’ Day every year, it gives wide publicity to model midwives through newspaper, TV and radio and organizes the work to popularize their experiences in various forms and by various methods.
Vocational schools in the capital city and local areas train professional midwives.
Midwives devote themselves to medical services.
They identify all the pregnant women in the districts under their charge and advise them to take maternity leave in good time. Those working at the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, provincial maternity hospitals and other people’s hospitals assist delivery and take warm care of the health of newborn babies.
Thanks to the state support to and growing social interest in the medical sector, obstetricians and midwives who are possessed of a high sense of responsibility and skilled practical ability conduct their medical services with maternal affection.
Yu Hyang Suk, head of a department of Pyongyang Maternity Hospital
More From Naenara (En)
President Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) was an iron-willed brilliant commander who defeated two imperialist powers in his generation. It
October 16, 2025
President Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) was an iron-willed brilliant commander who defeated two imperialist powers in his generation. It
October 16 is World Food Day. This year marks the 45th anniversary of World Food Day and the 80th founding anniversary of the UN
October 16, 2025
October 16 is World Food Day. This year marks the 45th anniversary of World Food Day and the 80th founding anniversary of the UN
Eye-opening changes have taken place simultaneously in the rural areas across the DPRK in the era of the Workers’ Party of Korea
October 16, 2025
Eye-opening changes have taken place simultaneously in the rural areas across the DPRK in the era of the Workers’ Party of Korea
Successes have been achieved in the effort to consolidate the country’s educational foundation. Kim Il Sung University, Kim
October 16, 2025
Successes have been achieved in the effort to consolidate the country’s educational foundation. Kim Il Sung University, Kim
The Tanchon Smeltery was selected as one of the top 10 enterprises of 2024. The third consecutive years’ honour of the factory
October 15, 2025
The Tanchon Smeltery was selected as one of the top 10 enterprises of 2024. The third consecutive years’ honour of the factory
Farms across the country are increasing grain production by applying scientific farming methods. Mundok County of South Phyongan
October 15, 2025
Farms across the country are increasing grain production by applying scientific farming methods. Mundok County of South Phyongan
The Blind Association of Korea is directing further efforts to guaranteeing the rights of persons with visual impairment. The
October 15, 2025
The Blind Association of Korea is directing further efforts to guaranteeing the rights of persons with visual impairment. The
Modern and beautiful dwelling houses have been built at the Ripsok Farm of Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, this
October 15, 2025
Modern and beautiful dwelling houses have been built at the Ripsok Farm of Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, this
At the Mansudae Assembly Hall on October 13, Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s
October 15, 2025
At the Mansudae Assembly Hall on October 13, Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s
A delegation of the DPRK Ministry of Electric Power Industry headed by Minister Kim Yu Il left Pyongyang on October 13 to attend
October 15, 2025
A delegation of the DPRK Ministry of Electric Power Industry headed by Minister Kim Yu Il left Pyongyang on October 13 to attend
Swadesh Dev Roye, deputy general secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions, on a visit to the DPRK toured the Tower of the
October 15, 2025
Swadesh Dev Roye, deputy general secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions, on a visit to the DPRK toured the Tower of the
At the Mansudae Assembly Hall on October 13, Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central
October 15, 2025
At the Mansudae Assembly Hall on October 13, Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central
“Pyongyang has a long history of 4 000 years and a large population of 400 000. Has it ever had such a large meeting as this?”
October 14, 2025
“Pyongyang has a long history of 4 000 years and a large population of 400 000. Has it ever had such a large meeting as this?”
A grand ceremony was held in June in the picturesque Kalma peninsula on the east coast of Korea to inaugurate the Wonsan Kalma
October 14, 2025
A grand ceremony was held in June in the picturesque Kalma peninsula on the east coast of Korea to inaugurate the Wonsan Kalma
October 14 is World Standards Day. Today standardization as well as technical innovation is essential to economic growth. Many
October 14, 2025
October 14 is World Standards Day. Today standardization as well as technical innovation is essential to economic growth. Many
Modern houses have been built at the Sangphyong Livestock Farm in Kim Chaek City, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cosy
October 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Sangphyong Livestock Farm in Kim Chaek City, North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cosy
Lorena Pena, chairwoman of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, and her party on a visit to the DPRK toured Pyongyang
October 14, 2025
Lorena Pena, chairwoman of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, and her party on a visit to the DPRK toured Pyongyang
The participants in the international seminar on the Juche idea held on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the
October 14, 2025
The participants in the international seminar on the Juche idea held on the occasion of the 80th founding anniversary of the
Goncalo Lopes, president of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, on a visit to the DPRK toured the Youth Movement Museum. He
October 14, 2025
Goncalo Lopes, president of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, on a visit to the DPRK toured the Youth Movement Museum. He
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first
October 14, 2025
Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first
More Articles
