Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently celebrated the International Day of the Midwife 2016 for those working in midwifery, maternity care and newborn services.
Under this year’s theme, ‘Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery’, the annual day aimed to raise awareness and increase visibility of the value of midwifery services in providing maternity care services to women, newborns and their families.  
Haila Salim, executive director of nursing at the Women’s Hospital said: “This occasion provides all of us with an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the important role played by this professional group. Our midwives are qualified to offer holistic care in all areas of maternity services that are needed by pregnant women.”
“Midwives partner with new mothers throughout their birthing experience and work with our multi-disciplinary teams to ensure our patients always receive the safest, most effective, most compassionate care,” she added.
Midwifery is an essential part of HMC’s healthcare provision, offering timely and effective, family-centred care. In fact, the majority of births in Qatar are attended by midwives with the support of highly specialised doctors.
Kristine Luzano, a HMC nurse who gave birth at Women’s Hospital said: “Midwives are truly unsung heroes that should be celebrated today and every day. During my labour and delivery, I remember how they were at my side. They calmed me down and advocated for me when I was too weak to speak. They provided reassurance, encouragement and praise. They comforted me physically and provided me with information and advice about what was happening.”
Every year,  May 5 is recognised worldwide as the International Day of the Midwife, when midwives around the globe celebrate the day and highlight the important role they are play in improving the quality of life of expectant mothers and their babies.