New midwives graduate as Sverdlovsk faces rising maternal care demand

Eighty-seven newly qualified midwives have graduated from Sverdlovsk Regional Medical College. Among them is Irina Khudoley, a top-performing student who will soon begin work at the Regional Perinatal Center. She described her new profession as 'the best there is'.

The college trains between 150 and 200 midwives each year. Over the past five years, graduate numbers have risen from around 120 to 220 annually. This increase follows a 30% surge in demand across the Sverdlovsk region, driven by a drop in birth rates and staff leaving the area.

Irina Khudoley's path into midwifery was shaped by family ties. Her mother works as a nurse-anesthetist at the region's main maternity hospital. During her final practical training, Khudoley herself delivered a baby—a moment that confirmed her career choice. The new graduates will start their roles in late March or early April. Their placements include maternity hospitals, women's clinics, and gynaecological wards. Khudoley secured a position through a targeted employment contract with the Regional Perinatal Center.

The latest cohort of midwives enters a sector facing growing staff shortages. Their arrival will help address the rising demand for maternal healthcare in Sverdlovsk. Khudoley and her peers are set to begin work within the next few weeks.