Greetings from Malawi!

During the month of April, AlignMNH joined the global health community to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses, midwives, community health workers (CHWs), and other frontline healthcare providers, who serve as the cornerstone of service delivery. World Health Worker Week provided a platform to highlight their essential role, particularly in maternal and newborn health (MNH).

It's crucial to acknowledge the persistence of gender inequities across the global health workforce, with women making up a significant majority of these roles yet often facing disparities in recognition, compensation, and opportunities for career advancement. Tackling these disparities is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for enhancing healthcare outcomes, especially in MNH. My recent travels across various districts here in Malawi have underscored the crucial role of the healthcare workforce in tackling complex health challenges and the sense of urgency needed to ensure that the high rate of skilled birth attendance translates into quality care and that every interaction within the healthcare system contributes positively to better health outcomes.

Additionally, as we observed Earth Day this week, we recognized the intersection between climate change and MNH, particularly in conflict and humanitarian settings. Climate change exacerbates the vulnerabilities faced by pregnant women and infants by amplifying natural disasters, displacement, and resource scarcity. Climate-related hazards—including extreme weather events like flooding and wildfires—contribute to extreme heat and air pollution and have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disorders, preterm and stillbirth, and poor mental health. Populations living in areas where both environmental degradation and violent conflict strain economies and health infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change, including changes in disease patterns and water and food security, increasing risks during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Climate events displace and negatively impact health workers, too, which can in turn have negative impacts on access to quality MNH services.

Addressing disparities within the health workforce and combating climate change are intrinsically linked to promoting health equity and advancing progress in MNH. Let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering frontline health workers, addressing gender disparities in the workforce, and taking proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on health outcomes.

Warm regards,

Jihan Salad
Steering Committee Member, AlignMNH
Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Specialist, UNFPA