Dakar, May 6 (APS) – Climate change is the greatest health challenge of our time, said the president of the National Association of Midwives of Senegal, Bigué Ba Mbodj.
“It manifests itself in an increase in heat waves and natural disasters that disproportionately affect women and babies,” she said.
Ms. Mbodj was speaking during a meeting with the press, as part of the celebration of the 2024 edition of the International Day of the Midwife.
She said she was convinced that “midwives are a vital solution to adapt health systems to climate change and reduce carbon emissions from the health sector”. According to her, ”the midwifery model of care is environmentally friendly”.
”As midwives, we may not always see ourselves as climate champions, but the evidence for care is clear,” Mbodj said.
According to her, ”care provided by midwives improves health outcomes and contributes to environmental sustainability, adaptability, reducing the carbon footprint of health services to make them more resilient to climate change ”.
“As midwives, we also play a crucial role in responding to the climate crisis, providing essential care in the event of climate-related disasters,” she noted.
She further declared that the National Association of Midwives requests its involvement in the development of policies and practices in Senegal in favor of accessible and sustainable quality care, in a context marked by climate change.
According to her, “it is essential that their contributions are recognized and their voices heard in the development of public policies and practices intended to support midwives in providing accessible and quality health care, which is also sustainable, for our Planet,” she argued.
NSS/AB/ASG
 – Senegalese press agency){kind=link}