American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 14 (11): 1236-1239, 2014 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2014.14.11.12449 Corresponding Author: Hafiza Fouzia Tabbassam, Sociology Department, Government College University for Women Faisalabad, Pakistan. 1236 Role of Community Midwife in Maternal Health Care System in Rural Areas of Pakistan Hafiza Fouzia Tabbassam and Rashid Menhas 1 2 Department of Sociology, Government College University for Women Faisalabad, Pakistan 1 Department of Sociology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan 2 Abstract: The present study was explored the role of community midwives (CMWs) in mother health care. The role of CMWs is to provide basic health care, to assist during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Generally, they are working on the basis of experience and knowledge obtained through practices in their communities. They work in remote, rural and far-flung areas of the country. They may be integrated in the formal health care system for making their in a befitting manner. They are working as a private health care practitioner and they play an instrumental role in enhancing mother health in rural areas. Maternal health is the health of the women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The CMWs are also known as skilled birth attendant, nurse or other health care professional who provides basic health care services in an emergency. The present study was conducted in rural areas of Faisalabad. The universe of the present study was CMWs health house in rural areas in district Faisalabad. A sample of 150 respondents was selected through purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through a well-designed questionnaire. Collected information was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results of this study reveals that majority of the respondents 97.3% know the importance of community midwife at community level. Majority of the respondents 92.0% have professional training from a certified institution. Most of the pregnant women consult their issues openly with midwife and 80.0% women act upon the directions given by them. Midwife is also playing an important role in the improvement of maternal and child health and majority of the respondents 62.0% said that death rate has been decreased due to midwives participation in primary health care system. Key words: Community midwife Maternal Health Rural Area Pregnancy Health Care INTRODUCTION childbirth. In Pakistan, the concept of community midwife Community Midwife (CMW) is a traditional health introduced in 1995. They are providing services in local professional who are efficiently working in rural areas area in the shape of woman health worker [2]. and providing pre-post pregnancy health services. They Midwife means with women. Midwife plays a vital provide care services for newborn babies based on role in the look after of the pregnant women and their traditional knowledge. The community midwifes childbirth. They perform various duties in antenatal and are playing a major role in health counselling and postnatal care. They are specialist relating to maternal education, for the women, family and the community [1]. health care [3]. Most maternal and newborn deaths are a In Pakistan, rural areas have limited basic facilities consequence of the poor health system inadequate care regarding mother, childcares. About (70%) of population before, during and after delivery. In pre-natal deaths can lives in rural areas. That is why mortality rate in Pakistan be prevented without and expensive technology. What is remains high. About 350 maternal deaths per 100,000 live required is essential care during pregnancy, the births (0.35%) according to national figure. However, in assistance of a person with midwifery skill during rural areas this figure is 700 per 100,000 live births (0.7%). is not new, first mother and child health program was