Opinion, Editorial: With increasing climate crisis globally manifesting in various ways, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events of heatwaves and floods, and sea level rise, which impact ecosystems and human societies, this calls for an urgent need to identify innovative practices and effective humanitarian preparedness and response to ensure better healthcare for affected populations.
Notably, women and girls are the most affected, exposing them to life-threatening risks such as pregnancy-related complications and gender-based violence, while also limiting their access to essential health services.
Empowerment of midwives in disaster response program planning and implementation is one of the vital innovations. Midwives worldwide are not passive observers of the climate crisis, but they are the most active and first responders. From delivering preconception and antenatal care, safe delivery, postnatal and newborn care, and family planning services, among others, during floods and heatwaves to educating families and communities about health risks. By doing all this, midwives are already adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.
Amidst all this, we should remember that the climate crisis negatively impacts midwives ‘work, leading to physical, emotional, social, and psychological effects such as stress, burnout, and displacement. Thus, governments of different countries and policymakers must ensure to integrate midwives into climate preparedness and response planning processes.
For example, they should ensure that midwives are part of the process and that when crisis strikes, they have the right training, tools, and resources they need to address climate-related health risks, including establishing referral pathways and transport systems to use when needed.
Truthfully, the climate crisis is a public health issue and emergency that demands immediate and coordinated action. Thus, country-specific health strategies addressing climate resilience MUST recognize the vital role of midwives in the climate crisis.
The theme for this year’s International Day of the Midwife, 05th May, states “Midwives: critical in every crisis”. Hence, the time to act is now: for the midwives and the women, girls, and families they serve, and for a healthier and more resilient future.
The writer is Worlds’ Best Nurse Finalist 2024; Multi-Award-Winning Researcher 2023; Heroes in Health Award Winning Midwife 2021 & Outstanding Woman of 2021
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