BS Programs

    Introduction

    Midwifery is a distinct profession than nursing in its own rights i.e., definition of title, scope of practice, philosophy, code of ethics, education, competencies, and services. Competent and qualified midwives contribute a pivotal role in improving maternal, neonatal, and child health. This document proposes an undergraduate four-year degree program to prepare midwives who will be qualified and licensed to provide quality care specifically to pregnant women and new born. The goal of the degree program is to establish midwifery education based on national and international best practices and on ICM (International Confederation of Midwives) standards that lead to excellence in evidence-based midwifery practice, teaching, and leadership. The higher education programs in midwifery will serve as exemplar for Pakistan and region.

    Background

    At present, in Pakistan, there are several midwifery cadres, with different formal education levels, who provide maternal and newborn/ child health services; however, until recently, there was no opportunity to obtain higher education in midwifery in the country. As a result, midwives were not adequately prepared or permitted to provide full scope of care to women. From UNFPA funding, in 2014, a two-year degree program a.k.a Post RM program was initiated in two schools of nursing in Pakistan (both is Karachi). These two schools have produced handful of midwifery graduates who are currently deployed at various places including schools of nursing & midwifery, hospitals, MCH centers and reproductive health projects. Moving on as a next step, UNFPA along with Health Services Academy (HSA) is planning to offer undergraduate four-year degree program to prepare midwives who will be qualified and licensed to provide quality care specifically to pregnant women and new born.

    Rationale

    Evidence shows that midwives prepared at international standards enhance normality throughout the birth cycle and reduce the rates of morbidity and mortality and promote health of mothers and newborns/ infants. Making higher education available based on the International Confederation of Midwives’ Global Standards for Midwifery Education and its Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice in Pakistan will enable midwives to alter the high mortality and morbidity among women and children. Moreover, qualified midwives will provide improved health care services, quality of practice and teaching, further the development of midwifery as a profession as well as expand career opportunities for women in Pakistan.