The number of midwives in Bolivia is on the rise, after a decade-long shortage of trained people to help in deliveries and the reason is most surprising.
With 10.89 million people as per 2016, Bolivia has the highest maternal mortality rate among South American countries. (Photo | Google maps)
Maternal deaths are high among poor, rural indigenous women in Bolivia. It is said that the rural public health centers and hospitals often lack basic amenities. (Photo | AP)
Indigenous women have often been treated as second-class citizens and scorned of their gender, ethnicity and traditions, says 2009 U.N. report. (Photo | AP)
The government is now tapping into the strong cultural bond between Bolivia's indigenous women and midwives to deal with the increasing mortality rate. (Photo | AP)
By incorporating midwives into the health system, government is striving to lower the maternal mortality rate. (Photo | AP)
A midwife training program officially began in 2013 after Bolivia passed a law recognizing traditional indigenous medicine, including midwifery. (Photo | AP)
It is partially financed by the U.N. Population Fund, which has supported similar initiatives in the Andean country. (Photo | AP)
