Home / Health / Pakistan Midwifery: Revolutionizing Maternal Care
Pakistan Midwifery: Revolutionizing Maternal Care
3 May
Summary
- New Bachelor of Science in Midwifery degree launched.
- Three universities are offering the new BScM program.
- Reforms aim to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Pakistan is introducing significant reforms to enhance maternal and neonatal health services. A new four-year Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BScM) program has been launched, with three universities—Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Health Services Academy, and Mohiuddin Institute of Nursing and Allied Sciences—now offering the degree. The Health Services Academy began the program in 2024, anticipating its first graduates in 2028.
This higher education initiative aims to upskill and professionalize midwifery, building on earlier programs for community-based providers. Previous efforts, such as the Community Midwives (CMWs) program and the USAID-funded PAIMAN program, faced challenges including funding issues, administrative disruptions following devolution to provinces in 2010, and natural disasters.
The reformed approach includes facility-based care improvements in Punjab, such as upgraded health units and 24/7 labor rooms. However, the emphasis remains obstetrician-led. The new BScM program, approved by the Higher Education Commission, includes substantial clinical training and offers a pathway for existing diploma holders to earn their degree in two years.
