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By Cinderella Atenyo-Moroto
The Ministry of health in conjunction with Moroto District will host this year’s national celebrations for International Day of the Midwife on 5 May 2026, bringing global attention to Karamoja’s efforts to end preventable maternal deaths.
Under the Theme, “the world needs One Million More Midwives,” and Uganda needs 13,000 more midwives, highlighting the global shortage of nearly 1 million midwives.
According to Agnes Achola, a representative of the organizing committee International Day of midwives, the preparation has kick started with a number of activities including community outreaches in areas of Tapac, Kakoliye, in schools, radio Talkshows, providing reproductive health services and creating awareness on reproductive health and a symposium for all the midwives and will conclude with the celebrations on the 5 May.
Achola, explained that the celebrations will involve a midwives’ march, health camps, presentation, and a petition drive calling for “The World needs One Million More Midwives, and Uganda needs 13,000 more midwives.”
She added that as midwives they do not only give antenatal care, deliver babies, or do family planning, but also fight harmful myths and educate mothers on reproductive health therefore this year’s event in Moroto will give them opportunity to address some of the challenges they encounter.
District leaders say the event will give an opportunity for employing more midwives in Karamoja that could help avert roughly two-thirds of all maternal and newborn deaths.
Karamoja’s maternal mortality is high due to shortage of midwives given an example at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital where it serves a population of over 1.4million including the neighboring Districts, amidst other challenges, the hospital continue to deliver services with only 28 midwives, 89 nurses, 5 Doctors and 11 specialists.
Karamoja region, including Moroto, faces challenges like long distances to health centres, reliance on Traditional Birth Attendants, and high maternal deaths and hosting International Day of the midwives 2026 brings national focus to these gaps and to ensure continuous provision of maternal health services in the district and the region.
International Day of the Midwife is celebrated globally every year on 5 May, recognizing the critical role midwives play in maternal and newborn health, safe childbirth, and sexual/reproductive care.
