July 13, Colombo: Midwives affiliated to the Sri Lankan government have called on the health authorities to improve the standards of their profession in the country.

The Government Midwifery Service Association (GMSA) has stated that the Health Ministry should work towards improving the training provided to midwives without cutting off their training.

Deputy Secretary of GMSA, Devika Kodituwakku has said the midwives in the country were facing many issues and the main issue was the lack of steps taken to improve the standards of midwifery.

She has observed that the midwives have not received any promotions to the first grade for several decades and noted that even midwives appointed in 1969 have not received promotions to the first grade.

According to Kodituwakku, the uniforms provided to midwives also need to be changed and training in new medical methods should be provided to them.

Of the 18 months training midwives receive, 12 months are spent in the nursing training school and hospital and 6 months is spent training in the field and hospital wards.

About 7,400 midwives are currently employed in Sri Lanka by the Health Ministry.