Health care unions say they fear Norway faces a looming shortage of midwives because of a high average age among those currently in practice.
Newspaper Bergens Tidende reported that a new study by the midwives’ trade association (Den norske jordmorforening) indicates that half of today’s midwives are older than 50. The association worries that measures are needed to prevent a “national midwife crisis” from occurring within five to 10 years.
Nearly all babies in Norway are delivered by midwives, with medical doctors stepping in only in the case of emergencies. The association urges new recruitment efforts to the midwife profession, writes Bergens Tidende.
Views and News staff
