The Strategic Role of Midwives in Public Health Transformation: A Look at Maternal and Child Health Services and Health Promotion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59890/mjst.v3i6.252Keywords:
Midwife, Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Health Promotion, Reproductive Health, Continuity of Care, Primary Care, Perinatal Mental Health, Digital Health, Health System StrengtheningAbstract
This article discusses the strategic role of midwives in public health through a review of qualitative literature. The discussion focuses on midwives' contributions to maternal and child health, disease prevention, health promotion, reproductive health, perinatal mental health, use of digital technology, and strengthening education and professional leadership. Recent literature shows that educated, regulated, and integrated midwives within primary care systems, working in supportive environments, can improve service quality, expand access for vulnerable groups, and contribute to reducing maternal, neonatal, and stillbirth deaths. The article also emphasizes that the role of midwives is not limited to normal childbirth but includes being health educators, advocates, behavior change facilitators, referral system connectors, and community-based social transformation agents. However, the effectiveness of this role is still influenced by uneven staff distribution, limited ongoing training, workload, facility quality, as well as regulatory and technological readiness. The article's conclusion emphasizes the need for policy investment in competency-based midwifery education, continuity of midwifery care models, inclusive digitalization, interprofessional collaboration, and strengthening midwives' leadership in public health decision-making. This review provides a conceptual basis for developing research and policies to enhance midwives' contributions to achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals
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