The Ministry of Public Health announced on April 24 that it is advancing the process to certify traditional midwives and herbalists in the province of Napo. The initiative is being carried out through the National Directorate of Intercultural Health and Equity, with support from the Provincial Health Directorate of Napo, the Council for Equality of Peoples and Nationalities, the Ministry of Labor, and Amawtay Wasi University.
The effort aims to formally recognize and strengthen ancestral medicine within Ecuador’s intercultural health system. There are currently 511 people identified as holders of ancestral wisdom in Napo, including 302 traditional midwives. Of these, 153 are already working with primary healthcare facilities to provide culturally relevant health services.
During a recent event focused on validating technical profiles for labor competency certification, Edwin Morocho, National Director of Intercultural Health and Equity, said: “This initiative responds to the vision of the Ministry of Public Health to build a health system with intercultural relevance, according to Ecuador’s diversity as a plurinational and intercultural state.” Morocho also said that certification by competencies does not replace existing institutional recognition but strengthens it by providing technical support for ancestral knowledge.
Traditional midwives play an important role in supporting pregnancy care, childbirth assistance, and maternal-newborn care within their communities. Their involvement helps ensure timely access to maternal health services that respect cultural practices.
This work aligns with Ecuador’s national strategy against child malnutrition—Ecuador Crece Sin Desnutrición—which focuses on pregnant women and children under two years old. The approach emphasizes community participation and intercultural understanding.
The Ministry said these actions reaffirm its commitment to inclusive healthcare that respects cultural diversity.
