On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in celebration of International Midwives' Day, the Ministry of Women's Affairs paid a vibrant tribute to these essential professionals, true pillars of women's sexual and reproductive health.

In Haiti, the number of trained and practicing midwives is far too low to meet the population's needs, placing the country in a critical situation regarding maternal health.

The Haitian Midwives Association (ASFH) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimate that there are approximately 300 to 455 midwives trained according to international standards currently practicing in Haiti to meet the needs of more than 2.8 million women of reproductive age, particularly in rural areas.

The majority of midwives are concentrated in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, making access to care extremely limited in remote rural areas, where home births without qualified personnel are frequent.

To meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards and significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate (the highest in the Caribbean : 529 deaths per 100,000 live births, partly due to the fact that over 60% of births occur without skilled medical assistance), Haiti would need at least 2,200 qualified midwives to provide basic national coverage. There is therefore a shortage of approximately 1,900 midwives to fill the current gap.

These figures illustrate the urgent need to invest in training, through the National Institute for Midwifery Training (INSFSF), to address this shortage by 2030. Their daily commitment not only contributes to reducing maternal and infant mortality but also to ensuring women have dignified, respectful, and equitable access to healthcare.

To this end, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women's rights and strengthening public policies in favor of sexual and reproductive health, fully recognizing the strategic role of midwives in the country's development.

S/ HaitiLibre