Dawit Tamru heads the school of midwifery at a university hospital in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. He was inspired to become a midwife when his mother experienced severe difficulties after delivering his younger sister — and midwives saved her life.

May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. This year’s theme is “one million more” — reflecting a shortage of midwives.

(Image credit: Ben de la Cruz/NPR)

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