Egypt’s Health Ministry Launches National Midwifery Programme
Backed by WHO and UNICEF, midwives will manage low risk care and refer high risk cases under unified protocols.
A national midwifery programme has been launched in Egypt as part of efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and strengthen maternal and child healthcare services across the country. Developed by the Ministry of Health and Population in partnership with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF, the programme forms part of a broader presidential initiative focused on improving healthcare outcomes for mothers and children.
The model introduces unified clinical protocols that allow trained midwives to oversee low-risk pregnancies and births while referring high-risk cases to specialised medical teams when necessary.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the programme aims to modernise and revive the midwifery profession in Egypt through an integrated care system that strengthens coordination between midwives and physicians. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said maternal and child health remains a central component of Egypt's healthcare and development agenda.
He noted that maternal mortality has fallen to 41 deaths per 100,000 live births and that the country is targeting a reduction to 35 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Under the programme, midwives will provide services including pre-pregnancy counselling, antenatal care, support during childbirth and postnatal follow-up through home visits and health guidance.
The ministry emphasised that midwives are intended to complement the work of obstetricians and gynaecologists rather than replace them. Deputy Minister of Health and Population Abla Al-Alfy said the ministry is currently implementing 15 initiatives under the 100 Million Health programme, nine of which focus directly on maternal and child health.
She added that evidence-based interventions during and immediately after birth can significantly improve outcomes, noting that neonatal resuscitation, skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding can reduce newborn mortality by up to 22%.
