Model of Care

Afghanistan faces a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with maternal and newborn mortality among the highest globally. The Afghan Midwives Association (AMA) has been strengthening midwifery through advocacy, leadership, and capacity building since 2005. AMA’s Midwife-Led Maternity Care Centers provide a transformative model of women-led, women-centered care—ensuring that even in crisis, Afghan women and families have access to high-quality, respectful maternity services.

This is the third article in a series on midwifery models of care. The article looks at midwives’ aspirations for different Midwifery Models of Care and calls on all countries to adopt innovative models that address local challenges, strengthen the profession and expand choices for women and gender-diverse people.

ICM has developed the definition of midwifery, used around the world as the basis of the profession.

This document provides a universal, description of the philosophy and model of midwifery care, without compromising local or regional characteristics of midwifery care.

This document provides strategic and practical guidance to countries transitioning to midwifery models of care.

This Guide provides a step-by-step approach to applying the Professional Framework for Midwifery to strengthen midwifery services, improve the quality of SRMNAH care, and support long-term health system improvements.

Every profession needs a structure to support it, strengthen it and guide its development, that includes all the elements required before an occupation can be considered a profession.

Midwifery Models of Care are a cost-effective, rights-based solution to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide.

A global initiative to expand midwifery models of care, driving health equity and accelerating progress toward maternal and newborn health goals.

A global call to action for health systems to adopt midwifery models of care as a pathway to improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

The German Midwives Association shares insights on midwifery education, challenges, and support, highlighting the importance of collaboration ahead of the upcoming ICM Europe Regional Conference in Berlin.