Well-being foundation has expressed concerns that despite the key role Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) plays in stopping disease transmission of diseases, a significant number od health care centres lack hygiene facilities.
Toyin Saraki, president, Well-being, said two out of five healthcare facilities still lack hand hygiene facilities at points of care, even as the country battles the deadly Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Saraki disclosed this in her message to salute midwifery professionals as the world marks International Day of the Midwife 2020. She said the day is remarkable in many respects and is truly momentous, as it takes place in the first ever Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
“This year has been designated by the World Health Organization as a year-long effort to celebrate the work of midwives and their colleagues, highlight the challenging conditions they often face, and advocate for increased investments in the workforce.
Saraki noted that Infection prevention and control is at the top of the global agenda right now and therefore launched the ‘We Must Applaud Midwives with WASH’ campaign, to highlight the need to ensure that they have the conditions they need to work safely and deliver for women, babies and communities.
She also paid tribute to midwives who have lost their lives in the course of their duties, not only during the current COVID-19 crisis but also those in recent years who have paid the ultimate price in conflict areas.
“Whatever the circumstances, however dangerous, midwives continue to provide a continuum of care, standing beside women at their most vulnerable moments. I know that I will have many midwives, including close friends, in my prayers today.
The president further said midwives are champions of women’s rights; but can only be effective if their rights are also secure.
“This includes the right for every midwife and all health workers to decent work and a safe and dignified workplace. Saving lives does not mean a midwife should risk her own.
“I continue to advocate for whole-system support, which means providing midwives with the adequate tools, equipment, and medicine to provide the full scope of timely, high-quality care, and the capacity to carry out the WHO-recommended 8 antenatal visits. We should all take up the call of the International Confederation of Midwives to celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise and unite with midwives,” she said.
