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)
A session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK was held. The
November 25, 2025
A session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK was held. The
Okryu Children’s Hospital is located in the Munsu area in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. It opened in October 2013.It is
November 25, 2025
Okryu Children’s Hospital is located in the Munsu area in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. It opened in October 2013.It is
Education support program centres have been built in provinces and municipalities. The centres will be involved in research and
November 25, 2025
Education support program centres have been built in provinces and municipalities. The centres will be involved in research and
New modern houses have been built in Ryongchon-dong, Saemunhwa-dong, Ponsan-dong, Jonjin-dong No. 2 and Taehung-dong No. 1 of
November 25, 2025
New modern houses have been built in Ryongchon-dong, Saemunhwa-dong, Ponsan-dong, Jonjin-dong No. 2 and Taehung-dong No. 1 of
New houses have been built at the Kumwi Farm in Hwadae County and the Hwanggok Farm in Myongchon County of North Hamgyong
November 25, 2025
New houses have been built at the Kumwi Farm in Hwadae County and the Hwanggok Farm in Myongchon County of North Hamgyong
Koryo Songgyungwan was the highest educational institution both in the periods of Koryo (918-1392) and the feudal Joson dynasty
November 25, 2025
Koryo Songgyungwan was the highest educational institution both in the periods of Koryo (918-1392) and the feudal Joson dynasty
The Hoeryong Coal Mining Machine Factory has recently manufactured a hydraulic comprehensive coal cutter of a new style that is
November 24, 2025
The Hoeryong Coal Mining Machine Factory has recently manufactured a hydraulic comprehensive coal cutter of a new style that is
The Hwasong Kumgang House is located in a newly-built urban section of the Hwasong area in Pyongyang. Not so long after its
November 24, 2025
The Hwasong Kumgang House is located in a newly-built urban section of the Hwasong area in Pyongyang. Not so long after its
The State Academy of Sciences has developed new technologies for producing reduced iron and synthetic fuel on the basis of coal
November 24, 2025
The State Academy of Sciences has developed new technologies for producing reduced iron and synthetic fuel on the basis of coal
A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang Municipality. The beautiful
November 24, 2025
A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District, Pyongyang Municipality. The beautiful
It has been 11 years since the afforestation campaign started in the DPRK. The period has witnessed a great progress in the
November 24, 2025
It has been 11 years since the afforestation campaign started in the DPRK. The period has witnessed a great progress in the
Proud entities of rural development have been successively created in Rason Municipality which is located in the northernmost part
November 23, 2025
Proud entities of rural development have been successively created in Rason Municipality which is located in the northernmost part
The DPRK goes full steam ahead with the Regional Development 20×10 Policy. As for regional development, the Workers’ Party of
November 23, 2025
The DPRK goes full steam ahead with the Regional Development 20×10 Policy. As for regional development, the Workers’ Party of
The area of Kuksa Peak in Nampho Municipality was transformed into a cultural and leisure base of the people. What attracts the
November 23, 2025
The area of Kuksa Peak in Nampho Municipality was transformed into a cultural and leisure base of the people. What attracts the
An event took place at Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of the DPRK on November 20 to mark Child Health Day. Present
November 22, 2025
An event took place at Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of the DPRK on November 20 to mark Child Health Day. Present
Some time ago the exhibition of intangible cultural heritage items-2025 took place at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in the
November 22, 2025
Some time ago the exhibition of intangible cultural heritage items-2025 took place at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in the
Many universities have created a new educational environment. This year Kim Il Sung University has equipped five experimental
November 22, 2025
Many universities have created a new educational environment. This year Kim Il Sung University has equipped five experimental
Kangwon Province in the DPRK has been wrapped in great joy and pleasure with the inauguration ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People
November 22, 2025
Kangwon Province in the DPRK has been wrapped in great joy and pleasure with the inauguration ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People
Working people in northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying the rural civilization under the care
November 22, 2025
Working people in northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying the rural civilization under the care
Established as a small optician’s nearly 40 years ago, the Pyongyang Optical Technology Company has now developed into a
November 22, 2025
Established as a small optician’s nearly 40 years ago, the Pyongyang Optical Technology Company has now developed into a
More Articles
