Arab Nurses And Midwives Day

Arab Nurses and Midwives Day, observed annually on November 3rd, stands as a heartfelt tribute to the unwavering dedication and compassion of nurses and midwives across the Arab world.

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Arab Nurses and Midwives Day | Caring from Start to End

Salute the Heart of Healthcare: Nurses & Midwives!

The Arab Board of Ministers of Health, which represents 22 Middle Eastern and North African countries, stated in 2021 that Arab Nurses and Midwives Day will be celebrated annually on November 3rd. The purpose of such a day is to highlight professional nurses and midwives’ substantial efforts and essential contributions to healthcare sectors throughout the Arab world. The day and the activities held within each country are meant to foster a sense of community and collaboration among nurses and midwives in all healthcare sectors.

Why Midwives Are Needed ?

According to the WHO, every year, 287,000 women globally lose their lives giving birth, 2.4 million newborns die, and an additional 2.2 million are stillborn. Many lose their lives to complications and illnesses that could have been prevented with proper antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care—services provided by midwives.

The Arab region is no different. Many countries in the Arab region have already met the Sustainable Development Goals’ target of achieving below 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Yet the average in the region was still more than double the target in 2017, with 151 deaths per 100,000 live births. This was largely driven by Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan, which have maternal mortality rates of over 200 deaths per 100,000.

The World Health Organization advocates for “skilled care at every birth” by an accredited health professional, such as a midwife, doctor, or nurse who has been trained to manage uncomplicated pregnancies, deliveries, and the immediate postnatal period. Skilled birth attendants also must be able to identify complications and secure timely emergency assistance. Midwives provide all these services and more.

What Midwives Do ?

Midwives and people with midwifery skills are the main caregivers for women and their newborns during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and in the post-delivery period. Yet they do not just deliver babies. Well-trained midwives can provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services, and play a critical role in promoting health within their communities. As members of their community, they can ensure culturally sensitive care that is more likely to have a lasting impact.

Midwives also provide family planning counselling and services, and perform breast and cervical cancer screenings. If authorized by their countries, they can provide basic emergency obstetric care, and in humanitarian crises, midwives can help implement the Minimum Initial Services Package for reproductive health care services.

The midwife shortage

Midwives, when properly trained and supported, offer one of the most cost-effective and culturally sensitive paths to achieving universal health care. Arab nurses and midwives account for over 50% of the health workforce in most countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, there are many challenges to increasing the availability of midwifery services. Despite the enormous responsibilities they bear, midwives—who are overwhelmingly women—frequently endure poor pay, low status, and a lack of support. Gender biases also play a role in the problems midwives experience.

If current trends continue, the Arab area may face a shortage of 1.2 million nurses by 2030. By closing the deficit in the number of midwives, two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths could be prevented, saving more than 4.3 million lives a year by 2035.

“Across the Region, on average, there are just 16.5 nurses and midwives for every 10 000 people, while the global average is 39.4 nurses and midwives per 10 000 population. In some countries, the figure falls to a single digit. If current trends continue, there will be a shortage of 1.2 million nurses across our Region by 2030. That would affect every country of the Region,”

Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Arab Nurses Make a Difference in Palliative Care

Palliative care is more than just medical treatment—it’s about compassion, dignity, and understanding during the most vulnerable times in a patient’s life. In the Arab world, particularly the UAE, nurses stand at the forefront of this essential care, offering comfort to patients and families facing serious illness.

Why Arab Nurses Are Essential

Frontline Support: Nurses are often the main point of contact for patients and families. In many cases, they’re the only ones there to listen, comfort, and advocate throughout the journey of life-limiting illness.

Education and Expertise: There have been major efforts to train nurses in palliative care across the Middle East. Educational programs, like those led by the Oman Cancer Association, have helped more than 400 nurses and healthcare professionals from 17 countries—including many from the UAE—learn vital skills in pain management, communication, and leadership.

Building Capacity: The “train-the-trainer” approach means that local nurses don’t just use their knowledge for their own patients—they teach others. This creates a multiplying effect, expanding access to quality palliative care and nurturing local leaders who can shape the future of healthcare in their communities.

Breaking Barriers: Nurses are also pushing for changes that make a real difference—like improving access to pain medication, starting new palliative care units, and advocating for patient rights. Their leadership is critical as health systems develop and modernize.

Arab Nurses and Midwives Bring Strength, Hope, and Compassion

Arab nurses and midwives have a long tradition of serving their communities with dedication and skill. They work through difficult conditions, often with limited resources, but remain central to keeping families healthy—from childbirth to end-of-life care. Their ability to connect with people culturally and offer hands-on support makes a real difference in people’s lives. As health systems grow and change, supporting and valuing these professionals will remain key to healthier futures for everyone in the region.