By Wendy Mkandawire
Minister of Health, Madalitso Baloyi, says government remains committed to accelerating progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Baloyi disclosed this on Friday night during “A Night in a Midwife’s Shoes” initiative at Mangochi District Hospital, where she spent the night alongside midwives to gain first-hand insight into the realities and challenges faced by maternal health workers.
According to Baloyi, the experience provided valuable insight into the working conditions of midwives and reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting frontline health workers.
“This experience has given me a deeper appreciation of the dedication and resilience of our midwives. It is about understanding the challenges they face so that together we can strengthen maternal and newborn health services and continue reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3,” she said.
Her visit comes at a time when Malawi has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality. The maternal mortality ratio has declined from 439 to 224 deaths per 100,000 live births.
The Minister provided care to mothers and newborns throughout the night, allowing her to witness both the demands and pressure of maternity services.
She said spending the night in the maternity ward enabled her to observe service delivery during one of the busiest periods for healthcare workers, offering practical lessons on areas requiring improvement.
Baloyi added that alongside government’s planned recruitment of additional health workers to address critical human resource shortages, the experience would help inform practical interventions to strengthen maternity services and improve the working environment for midwives.
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation continues to prioritize investments in maternal and newborn health as part of its broader commitment to ensuring that every woman has access to safe, quality maternal care.
