title: [The midwife in South Africa. Part I--The practice of the midwife].
abstract: Part 1, of a two part series on the dilemma of the midwife in South Africa, deals with the practice of the midwife. It is difficult to estimate the number of practicing midwives, as they form part of the general nursing register. Also midwifery is part of the basic nurse training and is not taught as a separate entity. The midwife in South Africa practices in the areas of primary health care, hospitals, clinics, mobile clinics, homes and MOU's. The governments commitment to PHC will likely result in most midwives practicing in this area. Problems are high maternal deaths, shortages and maldistribution of midwives in an urban/rural context and the fragmentation and poor coordination of the health services. The safe motherhood initiative of the WHO has been adopted, there are recommendations that midwifery education be separated from general nurse education, and that clinical skills be strengthened. Midwifery services in South Africa do not fulfill the basic criteria for a PHC service.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nolte
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013019:South Africa
vernacular_title: Die vroedvrou in Suid-Afrika. Deel 1--Die praktyk van die vroedvrou.