03.03.2017
Development of a global midwifery accreditation programme

Swiss TPH "The UNFPA State of the World’s Midwifery Report (2011) estimated a shortage of 350’000 midwives globally. To improve maternal and newborn health, moremidwives are needed according to WHO, and their education has to be of highest quality to meet international standards. The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) has developed a series of internationally guiding key documents for the education, practice and regulation of midwifery care, constituting a very valuable and highly frequented source for midwifery education institutions, regulatory bodies and international organisations among others.

ICM is taking the initiative to support the development of an accreditation system to serve as a guideline for midwifery education programmes, aiming to meet international  standards. An interdisciplinary team at the Swiss TPH (Axel Hoffmann, Leah F. Bohle, Goncalo Castro; complemented by an external midwifery expert) was awarded to carry out the assignment. The deliverables include the development of accreditation criteria, an accreditation scheme and an online platform. Experts from ICM will be trained on the accreditation process and the process will be tested in several countries prior to finalization of the accreditation package." (Photo: Swiss TPH)