Call for more Emirati midwives

Dr Grace Edwards, assistant director of nursing and clinical programmes manager at Corniche Hospital, said it is vital for attitudes to change to increase the numbers of Emiratis in the workforce.

DUBAI // Cultural barriers are dissuading Emiratis from becoming midwives, a conference heard this week.

Dr Grace Edwards, assistant director of nursing and clinical programmes manager at Corniche Hospital, said it was vital for attitudes to change to increase the numbers of Emiratis in the workforce. “Emirati midwives have encountered instances where they are not being accepted easily into the role by their countrywomen because of cultural barriers, and because the women are more accustomed to expatriate and non-Arab healthcare staff,” she said.

Dr Edwards spoke about ways to encourage midwifery engagement and leadership in the UAE at the Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

She said government healthcare institutions were collaborating with experts in the field of midwifery to improve the care of birthing mothers.

“The objective is to recognise the midwife as the expert in normal birth and the obstetrician as the expert in complicated births, and reinforce the concept of teamwork and collaboration between all clinicians,” Dr Edwards said.

Naeema Al Ali was one of the first Emirati graduates from Corniche Hospital’s 18-month bachelor of applied science in midwifery programme.

Speaking at the conference, she said it was the encouragement from her instructor, the in-charge midwife and her family that inspired her to undergo official training as a midwife.

“Some of the challenges we face as Emirati midwives is that new mothers can be rather shy or more familiar with non-Emirati midwives and healthcare staff,” said Ms Al Ali, who is now a midwife at the Corniche Hospital.

“They were a little hesitant at first but some have grown to appreciate that we are experts in the field and that we have an understanding of the language, culture and customs.”