Midwives on frontline of childbirth deaths crisis denied visas for key summit
Summary
Experts from countries with high rates of mother and baby deaths were denied visas to attend an important international midwives conference in Portugal. This visa rejection has raised concerns that progress on improving childbirth care in those countries may be hindered.Key Facts
- The International Confederation of Midwives congress was held in Lisbon to discuss preventable deaths of mothers and babies.
- Midwives from Africa and Asia, regions with most childbirth deaths, were often refused visas at the last minute.
- Countries affected include Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia.
- Midwife Harriet Akello from Uganda, known for a lifesaving maternity care program, was denied a visa despite meeting work travel requirements in Europe.
- Two Bangladeshi midwifery union leaders were denied visas, even though a male government official attended to pledge new midwives.
- Experts say this visa denial limits key contributors from sharing knowledge and worsens gender inequality and global health inequities.
- Portugal’s foreign ministry said visa decisions followed Schengen area rules objectively.
- Worldwide, around 260,000 women die annually in childbirth, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, with a shortage of about one million midwives.
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