Midwives are Crucial Human Resources for Health to Achieve Universal Health Care

Midwives are primarily considered as professionals with expertise in assisting women before, during, and after childbirth. Thus, the competencies for midwifery defined by International Confederation of revolve principally around assessment provision care to fetus/newborn/infant during pre-pregnancy antenatal periods, laborand birth, postnatal/postpartum periods.1 The availability skilled midwives communities has allowed women, especially those who belong lower income groups, access professional services childbirth, reflected responses from National Demographic Household Survey.2For instance, while 50% all surveyed received a midwife, it is notable that 70% belonged lowest wealth quintile were seen midwife theantenatal period. Furthermore, assisted 30% deliveries reported respondents, roughly little over third each three quintiles attended midwife.
 Philippine setting, recognized first point contact most members community, rural remote places, ones deployed manage Barangay Health Stations. Elaborating scope practice relation “primary health community”as stipulated Republic Act No. 73923, Board Midwifery Professional Regulation Commission, primer profession, stated expected to, among others, (a) implement government programs accordance policies guidelines Department Health; (b) supervise barangay workers; (c) BarangayHealth Station.4
 Stated differently, midwives, given work they do areas where deployed, serve face touchpoint sector our communities. They embodiment different enacted at national local levels through which Filipinos experience, individually collectively, drive better (or lack thereof ) advanced agencies, personalities, stakeholders.
 However, pointed out Felipe-Dimog et al.5 this issue Acta Medica Philippina, working public sector, may take on roles beyond contemplated law. For course my I was briefly unit, worked an urban department, have encountered tasked program coordinators assistant coordinators), sanitation inspectors,field epidemiologists, supply managers, because scarcity overall staff complement departments. Given their close ties assignments, also be community coordinators, if not organizers. extent assigned these additional tasks depend relationship immediate supervisor; level trust confidence reposed them superiors; some instances, attendance specific training workshops; well more qualified personnel locality.
 Yet despite – placement remote, hardship posts; assignments job description receive salaries commensurate consideration context. Staff positions (i.e., Midwife III) institutions remunerated Salary Grades 9 13 approximate gross pay PHP 21,000 31,000, based fourth tranche Standardization Law, but depending theincome classification unit6). Additional compensation benefits under special laws always provided will paying capacity employing agency. completed two-year previous policy must contend issues concerning status. personally consider same league nurses or physicians, view “assistants” “subordinates” forgetting certain degree independent licensed Philippines.
 play crucial role caring only childbirth primary duty throughout lifespan Stakeholders forget give due recognition value worth contributed shaping well-being generation Filipinos.
 
 Carl Abelardo T. Antonio, MD, MPHDepartment Policy AdministrationCollege Public HealthUniversity Philippines Manila
 REFERENCES
 .1. Midwives. Essential practice. 2018 update [Internet]. 2019 Jan [cited 2023 Jun 1]. Available from: https://www.internationalmidwives.org/assets/files/general-files/2019/02/icm-competencies_english_final_jan-2019-update_final-web_v1.0.pdf2. Statistics Authority (PSA) ICF. Survey 2017. Oct Quezon City, Philippines, Rockville, Maryland, USA: PSAand https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/PHILIPPINE%20NATIONAL%20DEMOGRAPHIC%20AND%20HEALTH%20SURVEY%202017_new.pdf3. Congress Philippines. 7392, 1992 Apr 10 https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Midwifery%20-%20Board%20Law_0.PDF4. Midwifery, Commission. n.d. https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Midwife_PRIMER.pdf5. EB, Liang F, Tumulak MJR, Hsu M, Sia-ed AB, Dumalhin YJB. Roles functions Cordillera Administrative Region: A qualitative pilot study. MedPhilipp. 2023;57(6): 5-17. doi: 10.47895/amp.vi0.53266. 11466, Law 2020 8 4]. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/12dec/20200108-RA-11466-RRD.pdf