Midwives around the world celebrate the 'International Day of the Midwife' on May 5th each year. The aim of the day is to celebrate midwifery and to bring awareness of the importance of the midwives' work to as many people as possible, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said.

This year’s theme is: 'Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery'. Midwives around the world work hard every day to ensure women and newborns receive the quality care that they deserve. Every year, millions of women and newborns around the world are cared for by skilled and professional midwives. This year’s theme clearly states that in the centre of midwifery care, each woman and newborn should have access to the best possible care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Every woman who is pregnant or giving birth must have a better partnership with a professional midwife. This is something that every woman must have access to, the MUMN said.

The women and newborns of the world need midwives now and in the future. Midwives have a key role to play as the global community strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of reducing maternal and newborn mortality and ensuring universal access to healthcare services. To ensure that there are enough qualified midwives to care for all women and newborns, countries must continue to increase investments in the education of midwives and growing the midwifery workforce.