Doctor Ndiaye says babies who weigh less than two kilos get special attention from midwives who assist with the births.

VOA: special.2009.05.25

We need to educate midwives , to be training them and also to be providing services on the ground."

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

The World Health Organization is calling for the recruitment, training and funding of at least 330-thousand new midwives in these regions.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

The Countdown report calls for 700,000 new midwives and health care workers to provide childbirth services for women all over the globe.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

Bridget Lynch says midwives have not gotten the respect they deserve and are often poorly paid.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

"Midwives are leaving the country. Some are retiring. Some are dying and being affected by HIV and AIDS and all here's a huge problem.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

A year ago around 90 percent did. Also,more women receive care before giving birth than ever before, and more midwives are present at births.

VOA: standard.2009.11.10

And a new report called "Countdown to 2015" says the cure is more midwives.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

Bridget Lynch,the president of the International Confederation of Midwives.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15

"That means midwives,nurses and physicians to assist deliveries."

VOA: standard.2010.03.07

Our facilities are clearly understaffed." The International Confederation of Midwives says with the support of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and large non-profit organizations, it is more optimistic about getting the funding needed to recruit these new trainees and deploy them into the communities where they are needed.

VOA: standard.2010.06.15