Midwifery Education in Pakistan

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• Midwives are regarded as "dais" because of the lack of knowledge about the midwife's role in the community and amongst the medical profession.
• There are no regulatory mechanisms and no code of conduct for midwifery practice.
• The midwife is not comfortable with her own professional identity.

Professional Education

• There are more schools of midwifery than schools of nursing.
• There are no designated posts for midwifery teachers.
• There is an extreme shortage of qualified teachers to teach midwifery
• Midwifery students have been graduating with very little or no practical experience in delivering babies.

Professional Practice

• Midwifery is not regarded as a distinct profession, independent of nursing.
• There is an acute shortage of licensed practicing midwives in spite of the fact that thousands graduate every year.
• There are no policies or plans to utilize the trained and licensed midwives.
• Dais are occupying a large number of posts meant for licensed midwives.

Professional Development

• There are no opportunities for advancement in midwifery.
• There is no career structure for midwives.
• The midwife starts at the lowest rung of the pay scale and retires in the same grade.