A statement issued by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and UNFPA on 5th May, International Day of the Midwife, said support for midwives, especially in developing countries, would save the lives of around five million women, and prevent approximately 80 million pregnancy-related illnesses by 2015.

There are an estimated 529,000 maternal deaths and eight million cases of pregnancy-related illness a year, mostly in developing countries.

WHO estimates that at least 700,000 more midwives are needed if the UN MDGs are to be met. The secretary-general of ICM said, "Midwives form the bridge between communities and facilities. They transcend the levels of care within health systems, and are essential to the continuum of care during the childbearing cycle."