Media release

03 May 2013

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia marks International Day of the Midwife.

National Board recognises special day for midwives

Nursing and Midwifery Board - Media statement - 3 May 2013 (217 KB,PDF)

On behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, I commend the 35,848 midwives for their invaluable contribution to the health and wellbeing of women and their families in Australia.

The International Day of the Midwife is commemorated worldwide on Sunday 5 May 2013, with this year’s theme being The World Needs Midwives Now More than Ever.

This overarching theme and the sub-theme ‘Midwives Save Lives’ is increasingly relevant as the 2015 deadline for realising the United Nations Millennium Development Goals draws closer.

Evidence is overwhelming that professional midwifery care for every woman and newborn is the single most important factor, if the world is to achieve the millennium development goals in relation to improving maternal health and reducing child mortality.

The International Day of the Midwife provides an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the unique and vital role that midwives play in contributing to the way health care services and health workforce reform deliver better health outcomes for our communities.

The midwifery profession continues to grow nationally and is vital in keeping mothers and their babies safe during pregnancy, labour and during the child’s infancy.

The National Board plays a key role in regulating midwives and eligible midwives and is committed to supporting midwives to practise to the full scope of midwifery practice, and provide safe maternity care for Australian women and their families.

Ms Anne Copeland
Chair
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia