The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Midwives Association of Zambia (MAZ) have signed an agreement to strengthen the role of midwives in saving lives - particularly in humanitarian emergencies. This new partnership focuses on building midwives' capacity to deliver life-saving care through the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) and Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC), while also supporting advocacy for greater investment in midwifery-led primary health care.
Zambia has made commendable progress in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, strengthening the midwifery workforce and expanding access to essential services. In the last three decades, maternal mortality rates have reduced by 75%, from 752 in 1994 to 187 per 100,000 in 2024. However, despite this progress, the gain falls short of the government’s goal to reduce maternal mortality to 100 by 2021. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) global target for maternal mortality by 2030 is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Humanitarian and climatic initiated crises, such as floods, disease outbreaks, and the recently experienced drought - the worst in 40 years and its effects, have highlighted the importance of resilience-building and emergency preparedness in health systems. These emergencies strain the health system and often interrupt access to essential health services including sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services.
UNFPA and MAZ are acting to ensure that more midwives are trained, equipped and empowered to meet women’s and newborns’ needs, even in the most difficult circumstances.
“This partnership comes at a critical moment,” said UNFPA Zambia Representative Seth Broekman. “Midwives can provide up to 90% of essential SRHR services. They are the frontline of care and often the only health provider a woman sees during pregnancy or childbirth, especially in times of crisis.”
Echoing this sentiment, the President of MAZ, Sarah Ngoma “expresses deep gratitude for the capacity-building grant” stating that
"MAZ is committed to using the funds wisely to enhance Zambia's midwifery workforce and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes”.
Through this agreement, MAZ will roll out targeted training on MISP and EmONC, focusing on critical skills like safe delivery, antenatal and postnatal care and emergency response during natural disasters and health crises. These services are critical in protecting the lives of mothers and babies during emergencies. UNFPA is also supporting MAZ’s efforts to advocate for increased domestic investment in midwifery and to amplify midwives’ voices in national health policies. By strengthening MAZ’s ability to mobilize support and resources, the partnership aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of midwifery services across the country.
This collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between UNFPA and MAZ. Since helping establish the Association in 2011, UNFPA has supported the development of MAZ’s strategic plan and promoted midwives’ frontline insights in health policy dialogue. Zambia is currently working to formalize a national model of midwifery-led primary health care, recognizing midwives as central to achieving better health outcomes for women, newborns and communities.
