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A global shortage of nearly 1 million midwives, concentrated heavily in Africa, continues to stall progress on reducing maternal and child deaths. In Ethiopia, a concerted effort has grown the midwifery workforce from just over 1,000 in 2008 to over 20,000 today, with local advocates like Dawit Tamiru leading awareness campaigns. However, recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid have created new challenges for securing essential maternal health supplies in the country.
Facts First
- A global shortage of almost 1 million midwives exists, with Africa accounting for roughly 47% of the gap.
- Ethiopia's midwifery workforce has grown significantly, from just over 1,000 in 2008 to over 20,000 today.
- Increasing midwives to universal coverage could avert millions of deaths, according to a 2020 Lancet Global Health study.
- Recent U.S. foreign aid cuts have impacted maternal health projects in Ethiopia, making certain drugs harder to secure.
- Local advocacy campaigns are underway in Ethiopia to raise awareness and recruit more students into the profession.
What Happened
Research published in February 2026 by World Health Organization (WHO) experts found a global shortage of almost 1 million midwives. Africa accounts for approximately 47% of this shortage. In Ethiopia, the number of midwives has grown from just over 1,000 in 2008 to over 20,000 today, according to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) coordinator. Dawit Tamiru, an assistant professor and head of a midwifery school in Ethiopia, has launched a local campaign involving posters and speaking engagements to raise awareness for the profession. At the beginning of 2025, the United States made significant cuts to foreign aid. Tamiru stated that cuts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have resulted in the immediate cancellation of projects and difficulty securing certain drugs for maternal health, including those used to prevent fetal death in cases of Rh incompatibility.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in a region with a shortage of skilled birth attendants, you or your family may face a higher risk during pregnancy and childbirth. The research suggests that increasing midwifery coverage could prevent the majority of maternal and newborn deaths, potentially saving over 4 million lives annually. In rural areas, which make up more than 80% of Ethiopia, access to these trained professionals could be especially transformative. For aspiring healthcare workers, this field presents a critical opportunity; in Tamiru's current classes, enrollment is evenly split between male and female students. However, cuts in international aid may slow this progress and make essential medicines less available where they are needed most.
What's Next
Advocacy efforts like Tamiru's campaign may help continue to build the midwifery workforce in Ethiopia and inspire similar actions elsewhere. The global focus on the shortage is highlighted by the International Day of the Midwife on May 5, which currently has the theme 'one million more'. The full impact of the U.S. aid cuts on maternal health programs in Ethiopia and other nations is still unfolding, and the response from other international partners could become more important. Sustained investment in midwifery education and resources will likely be necessary to achieve the life-saving potential identified by researchers.