Male Midwives Increase in Africa Amid Efforts to Reduce Maternal Deaths
Summary
Efforts to reduce maternal deaths in Africa are increasing the number of male midwives, especially in Lesotho, where the government is training men to fill shortages in rural health services. Although some women remain hesitant, community acceptance is gradually growing.
Key Points
- Africa’s drive to reduce maternal deaths is pushing more male nurses into midwifery roles, but they remain a small minority.
- Lesotho has about 300 male midwives, with Ntlahane Sehloho providing prenatal and delivery services in rural areas for two decades.
- The government is training male nurses as midwives to address rural health-worker shortages and high maternal mortality.
- WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA support efforts to expand the midwifery workforce while acknowledging mixed reactions from women.
