Sana'a: The first scientific conference on midwifery, organized by the Ministry of Health and Environment, represented by the Health Management and Quality Control Sector (the Yemeni Midwifery Program), began today in Sana'a, the capital, under the slogan "Hands that Nurture Life and Efforts that Build the Future." According to Yemen News Agency, the conference is being attended by 650 participants, including decision-makers in maternal and newborn health, consultants and specialists in obstetrics, gynecology, and neonatology, researchers and academics from public and private universities and medical colleges, heads of obstetric and neonatal emergency departments, and midwives working in health facilities and community clinics. The conference will discuss scientific topics and workshops on the concept of midwifery and its health and societal importance, the role of midwives in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, midwifery and newborn health, midwives and advocacy for natural childbirth, midwives and obstetric and neonatal emergencies, and the investigation and reporting of maternal and neonatal deaths and fetal malformations. A summary of the reference guide for regulating the practice of midwifery in the country will be reviewed, along with professional ethics and the legal responsibilities of midwives. The challenges facing the midwifery profession in practice will also be addressed, as well as ongoing professional development and capacity building for midwives. Workshops will be held on the labor care form, assisted breathing for newborns, and basic newborn care. In his opening remarks, the Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Ali Shaiban, emphasized the importance of the conference and the vital role of midwives in improving community health and enhancing national health coverage. He stated that midwifery is not merely a job, but a noble humanitarian mission through which health services are provided to mothers. He pointed out the ministry's efforts to establish a midwife in every village and to train midwives, given the significant need, especially in remote, isolated, and underserved areas. He noted that midwifery is a cornerstone in improving maternal and newborn health in particular, and the health system in general. The Minister of Health warned against the increase in unnecessary cesarean sections, stating that the number of cesarean births has risen sharply and is now endangering the lives of both mother and child. He said, "Cesarean sections should only be performed according to scientific and medical principles, and only in cases of medical necessity or when natural childbirth is impossible." He emphasized the need to raise public awareness about the importance of natural childbirth and to encourage its use in order to preserve the health of both mother and child. At the opening ceremony, attended by the Deputy Minister of Health for Health Administration and Quality Control, Dr. Abdulwahab Saad, the Chairman of the Academic Accreditation Council, Adel Al-Matari, and the Secretary-General of the Yemeni Medical Specialties Board, Athmar Hussein, the conference chairman, Dr. Najib Al-Qubati, described the conference as a true turning point towards elevating a noble humanitarian profession that has always been at the heart of saving lives and building the future of generations. He pointed out that the reality of maternal and newborn health in Yemen places a historic responsibility on everyone that cannot be postponed; a responsibility that requires moving from describing challenges to creating solutions, and from scattered efforts to institutional work based on science, standards, and quality. Dr. Al-Qubati emphasized that the conference lays the foundation for a new era in which the midwifery profession is built on solid scientific foundations, a clear national vision, and a shared, unwavering will. He explained that the midwife is not merely a service provider, but a fundamental partner in protecting life, creating hope, and promoting human dignity, and that investing in her education, empower ment, and training is one of the most impactful and sustainable investments in the health system. He stated that launching the National Reference Guide for Regulating Midwifery Education and Practice is a pivotal strategic step aimed at unifying the approach, raising the quality of performance, and ensuring the provision of safe and comprehensive care for every mother and newborn. He expressed his hope that the conference's outcomes would contribute to formulating effective policies, strengthening partnerships, and driving change towards a better healthcare reality. For her part, Zainab Al-Badawi, Head of the Conference Preparatory Committee, explained that the conference aims to elevate the midwifery profession and raise awareness of its importance and the role of midwives in improving maternal and newborn health. This will be achieved through advocating for and supporting the development of evidence-based professional practice, highlighting the role of midwives at various levels of healthcare, and showcasi ng their contribution to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. She pointed to the importance of primary healthcare and the vital role midwives play in promoting family and community health, emphasizing that midwives are the first line of defense in ensuring safe births and healthy lives for mothers and their newborns. Al-Badawi addressed the challenges facing the health sector and the efforts made to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. She explained that the maternal mortality rate decreased during the period 2022-2023 from 183 to 118 per 100 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate decreased from 27 to 21 per 1,000 live births. She stated that, for the first time, a reference guide has been developed to regulate the practice of midwifery. This guide aims to ensure the quality of professional practice through a set of standards, competencies, and controls related to knowledge, skills, clinical practices, leadership, evidence-based care, and working within a comprehensive national vision to improve the health sector, health services, and the outcomes of health and medical education in both the public and private sectors. For his part, Khalil Al-Wajih, President of Al-Razi University, pointed out that qualified midwives are the cornerstone of building a healthy society and the primary guarantee for a safe motherhood journey. He announced the university's readiness to participate in a community service initiative by training midwives in rural areas, in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Environment. The opening ceremony was attended by the Assistant Secretary-General of the National Population Council, Mutahhar Zabara, the Dean of the National College of Health, Dr. Abdullah Muslim, and a number of heads of institutions, hospitals, and universities.