Namibia

In , Namibia was home to women of reproductive age (15-49 years), who collectively gave birth to live newborns. The total fertility rate was per woman.

Midwives in Namibia are authorised to provide basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) signal functions, and modern methods of contraception.

  • midwives per 10,000 population
  • of births attended by skilled health personnel
  • preterm birth rate (babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy)

Caesarean birth rates above 10-15% at the population level  are not associated with reduced maternal, neonatal and infant mortality (WHO, 2015). Countries with better access to more midwives are more likely to have caesarean birth rates closer to this range (Nove et al., 2024).

Maternal and neonatal deaths are tragedies, especially when they are due to preventable causes. Midwife models of care are a proven way of ensuring that more women and newborns survive. Tracking MMR and NMR over time shows how well a health system is organised, and how enabled midwives are to do their work.

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Midwives’ Data Hub
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Maternal and newborn health outcomes and service coverage
Midwifery workforce & model of care
ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice
Enabling environment and leadership