Benalla Health is encouraging the community to help celebrate the wonderful contribution of midwives during an afternoon tea next month on International Midwives Day.

Chief Executive Officer Jackie Kelly said that anyone who had a baby, is having a baby or was involved in the care of children or babies was invited to come along on Thursday 5 May from 2.30pm on the front lawns of the health service in Coster St.

“International Midwives Day celebrates midwives for all they do each and every day,” she said.

“At Benalla Health, we are extremely proud of the contribution our midwives make to our community and the fact that they are involved in the care of many families in our community through our pregnancy support, birth and post-natal care.

“We offer some really personalised and high-quality service at Benalla Health and the fact we have been able to touch many people’s lives during this special time through the quality of care our midwives provide is something we are extremely proud of.

“Our afternoon tea will be a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate that contribution and this special day.”

International Day of the Midwife was first celebrated in 1991 and has since been observed in more than 50 nations around the world.

The idea of having a day to recognize and honour midwives came out of the 1987 International Confederation of Midwives conference in the Netherlands.