COMMUNIQUE Issued at the end of the 2025 International Day of the Midwife Stakeholders’ Roundtable Policy Dialogue

Theme: “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis”

Held on 12^th May 2025

Venue: Sharon Ultimate Hotel, Abuja

We, the undersigned participants representing the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), academia, Health System Experts gathered under the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)—at the Stakeholders’ Policy Dialogue commemorating the 2025 International Day of the Midwife.

After extensive deliberation on the theme “Midwives: Critical in Every Crisis,” and considering the realities facing midwifery practice in Nigeria during humanitarian emergencies, insecurity, public health crises, and environmental disasters, we hereby issue the following communique:

We Acknowledge:

The vital and life-saving contributions of midwives in maintaining access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health (SRMNH) services, even under the most challenging circumstances.

The increasing vulnerability of midwives working in fragile and underserved areas affected by conflict, flooding, disease outbreaks, and economic hardship.

The need for intentional investment in midwifery resilience and leadership in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

We Commit To:

1. Support the development and adoption of a National Midwifery Crisis Response Framework (N-MiCRiF), to be led by NANNM and in collaboration with government, professional bodies, and partners thus integrating reproductive health and maternal care during emergencies.
2. Establish a Midwifery Crisis Response Taskforce to guide coordination, data sharing, resource mobilization, and accountability.
3. Strengthen capacity building for midwives on emergency obstetric and newborn care, psychosocial support, and rapid deployment.
4. Advocate for midwives’ inclusion in national and state-level crisis and disaster preparedness platforms both at decision and implementation levels
5. Facilitate the provision of essential supplies, personal protective equipment, and safety infrastructure for midwives in high-risk areas.
6. Promote research, documentation, and public awareness on the role of midwives in health and humanitarian emergencies.
7. Mobilize resources in partnership with UNFPA, WHO, and other stakeholders to implement the Midwifery Crisis Response Agenda.

We Call Upon:

The Government of Nigeria, donor agencies, private sector, and development partners to prioritize and protect the midwifery workforce as a critical pillar of national health security and emergency response systems.

Signed this day……………….

For and on behalf of all stakeholders:

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