The usually quiet village of Nazareth in the Maseru district was transformed into a lively space of celebration, reflection, and unity as Lesotho commemorated International Day of the Midwife on 9 May 2025. Globally, the day is observed annually on 5 May. This year, the global commemoration took place under the theme: “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis” — recognizing the frontline role midwives play in responding to emergencies and safeguarding lives, particularly in times of crisis.

 Health workers, midwives, chiefs, development partners and members of the community came together in large numbers to honour those who form the backbone of maternal and new-born care — the midwives.

Organised by the Independent Midwifery Association of Lesotho (IMAL), the event was a fusion of advocacy, songs, dances, drama performance, panel discussion and speeches in honour of midwives.

At the occasion, UNFPA Representative to Lesotho, Mr. Innocent Modisaotsile, emphasized that investing in midwives is not only about improving maternal and new-born health but also about investing in the very future of Lesotho.

He underscored that Lesotho, like many nations is vulnerable to multiple crises, including droughts, floods, pandemics and other socio-economic challenges. He said the role of the midwife in Lesotho is therefore not just important but absolutely critical. “Midwives are often the first and only point of contact for women, providing life-saving care when and where it is needed most,” he said.

Mr. Modisaotsile pledged UNFPA’s continued commitment to supporting midwifery in Lesotho, stating that midwifery is not just a profession but a calling that deserves recognition, protection and consistent support. He reaffirmed the agency’s efforts in strengthening midwifery education, improving access to essential tools and resources, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring the wellbeing of midwives.

The Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Ms. 'Maneo Ntene, echoed these sentiments by highlighting the urgent need to address maternal mortality in Lesotho. She acknowledged that some of the maternal deaths occur because health facilities are located far from communities, making access to emergency obstetric care difficult or even impossible for many women. She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to addressing these access gaps and ensuring that health services, including skilled midwifery care, are brought closer to where women live.

Adding to the call for stronger support, the acting District Medical Officer for Maseru, Dr. Tilo Namane, expressed concern over the country's persistently high maternal mortality rate, currently estimated at 530 deaths per 100,000 live births.

He lamented that there are still women who deliver at home, often without skilled assistance, and called upon community health workers to step up efforts in discouraging this practice. Dr. Namane also emphasized the need to protect midwives from occupational health hazards by providing them with necessary vaccines.

He urged the government and partners to invest in continuous training, and further suggested that Lesotho should aim to produce its own professors in midwifery to build local capacity and strengthen the profession.

IMAL President, Ms. Nelly Fobo, used the platform to call for introspection among midwives in the face of high maternal death rates. She encouraged stronger collaboration between midwives and community health workers, who are often the first point of contact at the village level.

“We must work closely together to ensure no woman is left behind,” she said. Ms. Fobo also made a heartfelt appeal to the Ministry of Health to increase the number of midwives deployed to health centres, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas, to alleviate the heavy workload and improve the quality of care.

Other speakers included representatives from key health and development partners such as the World Health Organization and Mothers to Mothers, as well as traditional leaders and community health workers. They all echoed a unified message — that midwives are indispensable and that supporting them is essential to reducing maternal deaths and improving overall health outcomes.

The event was not only about dialogue and calls to action; it also featured moments of celebration and recognition. A panel discussion allowed for shared learning and exchange of experiences among midwives and awards were presented to best-performing midwives, applauding their dedication and excellence.

As the day drew to a close, one message stood out: midwives are at the heart of strong and resilient health systems and they have to be supported. In the words of a community health worker who attended the event, “When midwives are supported, we will thrive at community level and grow stronger.”