AHMED KASULE

Brave Hearts; Our Midwives

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on us and we are all rightly worried and hoping that it ends soon. Several people have stepped up to support people through this situation and among the silent front-liners that have done a commendable job are our courageous midwives and nurses. Not even the COVID-19 can halt women's basic reproductive right to giving birth, this makes midwives and nurses one of the most essential workers at all time because women need professional support during this hard time. The lives of midwives and nurses are no different and COVID-19 affects them like any other person but they continue keeping close distance with pregnant women in need because there is no other way to ensure a safe motherhood experience other than being close to their patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved fatal even in countries with stronger healthcare systems, were health workers including midwives have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) unlike in Low and Middle income countries were they are at times forced to see patients without standard protective equipment due to stock-outs; this puts not only their lives at risk but also their families especially during pandemics like the COVID-19.