Midwife Half Marathon set to brighten IDM celebration in Kilimanjaro

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Kilimanjaro Region is expected to host major celebrations for the International Day of the Midwife (IDM) in 2026, as the Tanzania Midwives Association, in collaboration with reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) stakeholders, prepares a series of events scheduled from May 2 to 5, 2026.

Speaking to the media, TAMA President Dr Beatrice Mwilike said the celebrations will feature a range of awareness activities, including the Midwives Half Marathon, community health exhibitions, delivery of health services, and specialized training sessions for midwives.

“The main goal is to highlight the critical role midwives play in saving the lives of mothers and newborns,” she said.

This year’s theme, “One Million More Midwives,” is a global call to increase the number of midwives and improve maternal healthcare services.

Statistics indicate that Africa alone faces a shortage of approximately 460,000 midwives, putting the lives of thousands of mothers and newborns at risk each year.

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In addition to the shortage, many health facilities struggle with poor working conditions, including lack of clean and safe water, inadequate sanitation, and weak hygiene infrastructure—factors that directly affect the safety of mothers and babies during childbirth.

Dr. Mwilike emphasized that the shortage of midwives should not be viewed merely as a statistic, but as a matter of life and death.

“This is not just about numbers—it’s about the lives of mothers and children at risk every day. We need urgent investment, more training, and better working environments for midwives to ensure no mother or child dies during childbirth,” she said.

She added that midwives are a cornerstone of safe childbirth, and called on communities, government, and stakeholders to work together to strengthen the profession.

The celebrations also aim to raise public awareness about the importance of midwives, provide professional training to enhance skills, and advocate for stronger policies and investments to improve working conditions.

Additionally, TAMA has set a target of raising one billion Tanzanian shillings to support improvements in maternal healthcare services nationwide, as part of efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

Overall, the key message of the event is that empowering midwives means saving lives—and everyone has a role to play, whether as a sponsor, partner, or advocate.

The public has been urged to actively participate and contribute to these efforts to ensure that every mother and child receives safe and quality care during childbirth.