Heather Heinrichs is a midwife working in remote Hay River, in #Canada’s Northwest Territories. Until recently, local women who wanted to give birth had to fly or drive hours to deliver their babies. Now, they can have all the antenatal care they need in Hay River. They can choose to deliver in the birthing room that Heather and another midwife colleague manage at the regional health centre. The midwives check in on newborns for six weeks after birth and provide continued services to mothers for one year. Midwives save lives by providing essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services. Our colleagues from unfpa work every day to train & support midwives, but greater investments are needed as countries face an acute shortage of these essential providers. On Friday's #DayoftheMidwife, join us in thanking midwives around the world for their important mission. 📷: WHO/Christine McNab #HealthForAll