In the mountainous village of Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho, Ntlhane Sehloho packs his medical bag each morning and travels three hours on gravel roads to the Mpharane Health Center. There, he serves as one of the few male midwives in the nation, a role once considered unheard of in this conservative African society.
Addressing a Critical Health Crisis
Lesotho faces a maternal mortality rate of about 530 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the global average of roughly 200. The World Health Organization and UNICEF have warned that a shortage of skilled birth attendants contributes heavily to these numbers. In response, the Ministry of Health has encouraged male nurses to train as midwives, expanding the pool of qualified caregivers in rural areas.
Growing Acceptance
Sehloho, who has worked as a midwife for two decades, says his community is slowly learning that gender should not dictate who provides delivery care. “The system and the community are starting to accept that gender should not matter when it comes to delivery,” said Dr. Llang Maama, acting director of health services at the Ministry of Health.
While some women still prefer female providers, the health system allows them to request a woman if one is available. In emergencies, however, the priority remains timely care, regardless of the caregiver’s gender.
Impact on Care Quality
Local health officials note that male midwives often bring a different attentiveness to the bedside. “Because they have not been through pregnancy themselves, they tend to be more vigilant about details like blood pressure and fetal progress,” explained Blandina Motaung of the United Nations Population Fund.
Patients report mixed feelings. Twenty‑one‑year‑old Mpolokeng Mafereka prefers female midwives, while her peer Bonolo Tebello says she is comfortable with male providers, noting that they “provide the same level of care” and treat patients respectfully regardless of arrival time.
Progress and Challenges
UNICEF data show that 92% of births in Lesotho are now attended by a trained health professional, a significant improvement from previous years. Yet the exact number of male midwives remains unclear, as the government does not track gender statistics for the profession.
Despite lingering cultural reservations, the presence of men like Sehloho is helping to bridge the gap in rural health services, offering hope that Lesotho can continue to lower its maternal mortality rate and ensure safer deliveries for all families.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
