HAWASSA, SIDAMA — The Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMwA) Sidama Chapter officially celebrated the International Day of the Midwife (IDM) on May 29, 2026, hosting a colorful and impactful event cascaded at Adare General Hospital in Hawassa. Under the leadership of Melat Belay, President of the EMwA Sidama Chapter Office, the celebration brought together 60 dedicated participants, including healthcare professionals from 10 distinct health facilities across Hawassa, local chapter representatives, and EMwA national staff, all gathered to honor the vital role midwives play in maternal and newborn health.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Tsadiku Getachew, the Medical Director of Adare General Hospital, who expressed his gratitude to the midwives for their unwavering commitment to patient care. Following the welcome, Dr. Nigussie Belete, representing the Sidama Regional Health Bureau (RHB) Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Youth Health, and Nutrition (RMNCAYH-N) Directorate, officially opened the event. In his opening remarks, Dr. Nigussie emphasized the regional bureau’s ongoing support for midwifery services and the critical need to strengthen the healthcare workforce to eliminate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
A key highlight of the morning was a compelling presentation delivered by Kidist Eshetu on the “1 Million Midwives” initiative. Her presentation tailored the global campaign to the local context, sparking meaningful dialogue on how the region can scale up its midwifery workforce and improve the quality of care in Sidama’s specific healthcare landscape. Following the presentation, attendees engaged in a reflection session, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and the immense pride they take in their life-saving profession.
The celebration also featured moments of deep appreciation and joy, starting with a special recognition ceremony. The most senior midwives from the 10 participating health facilities were honored with awards celebrating their extensive clinical contributions and years of dedicated service. The festive spirit continued with a traditional cake-cutting ceremony and a heartwarming outreach initiative, where gift cards were presented to mothers who gave birth at the hospital that day, directly connecting the celebration back to the community the midwives serve.
The event concluded with a strong renewal of partnerships and a forward-looking commitment. Representatives from the Sidama Regional Health Bureau closed the day by reaffirming their dedication to supporting EMwA’s initiatives, promising continued investments in training, resources, and safer working environments for midwives across the region.
