On the occasion of International Midwives' Day, the union has highlighted the concerning situation regarding the provision of these professionals in Huelva. Currently, the province has 69 midwives for a female population of 266,527 women, resulting in a ratio of one midwife per 3,862 women. This figure is significantly lower than the regional average of one per 3,245 women, and far from the national average of one per 1,500 women.

The union emphasized that midwives play a crucial role extending beyond pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Their functions include sexual and reproductive education, disease prevention, early detection of pathologies, support during climacteric, and health promotion throughout the entire female life cycle.

Despite some progress in Primary Care thanks to the Primary Care Improvement Plan, the workforce remains insufficient. The current ratio at this level of care is one midwife per 8,000 women, well above the SAS's goal of one per 5,000. This situation, according to Satse, demonstrates the urgent need to create stable and specific positions, also considering geographical dispersion, especially in rural areas of Andalusia.

The shortage of midwives, coupled with care pressure, temporary contracts, and lack of professional recognition, is causing occupational health problems among these professionals, such as stress and emotional exhaustion. This, in turn, can lead to them leaving the specialty in search of better conditions. The union concludes that the lack of midwives compromises the present and future health of Andalusian women, and demands a firm commitment from the SAS to reinforce staff and ensure equitable, safe, and quality care.