Health
Male midwives expand roles in Lesotho to help reduce high maternal mortality
Health authorities in the southern African nation are encouraging male midwives to address staffing shortages and high childbirth death rates.
The short version
- Lesotho is utilizing male midwives to help lower its maternal mortality rate of roughly 530 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is significantly higher than the global average of about 200.
- World Health Organization figures estimate that men make up less than 1% of midwives globally, but Lesotho now has an estimated 300 male practitioners.
- Despite traditional cultural norms causing initial hesitation among some patients, local health officials report increasing acceptance as access to rural care expands.
Key facts
- According to United Nations estimates, Lesotho experiences about 530 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a worldwide average of around 200.[Associated Press]
- World Health Organization figures indicate that men comprise less than 1% of all midwives globally.[Associated Press]
- UNICEF data shows that 92% of births in Lesotho are now attended by trained healthcare staff following initiatives to improve medical access in rural regions.[Associated Press]
- Health officials note that while patients can request female providers if they are uncomfortable, healthcare facility staffing limits mean alternative choices are not always available during deliveries.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The precise number of male midwives in Lesotho is unknown because the government does not collect healthcare worker data categorized by gender.[Associated Press]