Winnipeg – CUPE celebrated the International Day of the Midwife today at the Manitoba Legislature with a family and community picnic.
“Midwifery is an invaluable service that helps women, particularly in rural and northern communities, in planning and delivering their child safely” said Laurissa Smerchanski-Sims, CUPE Manitoba Secretary-Treasurer, “yet we have difficulty in recruiting and retaining enough midwives in the province”. Smerchanski-Sims is herself a midwifery student and knows how important it is to give staff the training and support they need to do their jobs well.
The International Day of the Midwife is celebrated on May 5th in communities around the world. Globally, approximately 80% of babies are born with the aid of a midwife. In Manitoba, there are only 38 practicing midwives, falling far below the demand for the services.
“As a CUPE member who is also a student in the midwife program, I place a lot of value in the service I provide to the community” said Smerchanski-Sims, “Manitoba needs more trained midwives to meet our province’s needs, so we can ensure everyone has access to the health services they deserve”.