{
  "id": 4351410,
  "title": "Africa’s male midwives are rare but increasing in the fight against pregnancy deaths",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/africas-male-midwives-are-rare-but-increasing-in-the-fight-against",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-30T05:22:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2026/08/30/africas-male-midwives-are-rare-but-increasing-in-the-fight-against-pregnancy-deaths"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Lesotho, male midwives are becoming increasingly common as the country strives to reduce its high maternal mortality rate. Ntlhane Sehloho, a male midwife, travels three hours through mountainous terrain to reach the Mpharane Health Center, where he greets expectant mothers with a positive attitude. Despite the traditional view of midwifery as a female role, Sehloho has been working in the field for two decades and aims to improve maternal care in rural communities. With only about 300 male midwives in Lesotho, organizations like the World Health Organization and UNICEF are encouraging more people, both male and female, to pursue midwifery careers. Lesotho's maternal mortality rate is far higher than the global average, with 530 women dying per 100,000 live births. Health authorities have encouraged male nurses to train as midwives to address the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas. Male midwives, such as Sehloho, may face some hesitation from women, but their presence is slowly gaining acceptance as the community becomes more open to gender equality in healthcare.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Male midwives increasing in Lesotho to combat high maternal mortality",
    "Only 300 male midwives in Lesotho, organizations encourage more",
    "Lesotho's maternal mortality rate 530 per 100,000 live births"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Africa’s male midwives are rare but increasing in the fight against pregnancy deaths",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/africas-male-midwives-are-rare-but-increasing-in-the-fight-against-4355295",
        "published": "2026-08-30T05:53:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}