The Midwifery services framework: What is it, and why is it needed?

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Healthcare Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have largely missed Millennium Development Goal targets for maternal, newborn, and child health.
• Ambitious Sustainable Development Goals and Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality targets necessitate accelerated progress in sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health (SRMNH).
• Evidence supports midwifery's potential to advance SRMNH, yet practical investment guidance is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Midwifery Services Framework (MSF) as a tool to guide countries in strengthening midwifery services.
• To explain the rationale, development, principles, and anticipated impact of the MSF.
• To address the gap in practical guidance for investing in midwifery to meet increasing SRMNH care demands.

Main Methods:

• The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) designed and launched the Midwifery Services Framework (MSF).
• This paper serves as an introduction to the MSF, detailing its foundational elements.
• Subsequent papers will cover MSF implementation processes and lessons learned.

Main Results:

• The MSF is a novel tool developed to assist countries in enhancing their midwifery services.
• The framework is designed to facilitate the strengthening and development of national midwifery programs.
• Anticipated outcomes include improved health system capacity to deliver SRMNH care.

Conclusions:

• The Midwifery Services Framework (MSF) offers a structured approach for countries to invest in and scale up midwifery services.
• Strengthening midwifery is crucial for achieving global targets in sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health.
• The MSF aims to bridge the gap between evidence and practice in midwifery service development.