Quality issues in midwifery: A critical analysis of midwifery in Nigeria within the context of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) global standards

Abstract

Advances in health care system are a challenge to the professional midwife in the quality of midwifery workforce. The three pillars of quality midwifery workforce need to meet the changing health needs of both the rural and modern highly industrialized society. Insisting on the traditional ways of doing things in midwifery seems inadequate in meeting these challenges. New and creative approaches are needed if midwifery as a prominent profession in health care delivery will professionally remain competitive and contribute effectively and maximally to the demands of nation's health care services. Midwife leaders will be taking a step in the right direction in fostering the climate that promotes creativity in midwifery. Midwifery in Nigeria had witnessed many changes, given the challenges of a low/poor resource setting. This paper attempts a discourse on issues affecting midwifery as a profession using the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) global standards.