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Midwives often find themselves on the sidelines of the medical profession and the coronavirus pandemic risks them being even more marginalised. Neha Mankani, a midwife based in Karachi, Pakistan, explains that many of her midwife colleagues are being asked to work in other areas of health care such as testing for the virus and caring for Covid-19 patients. There are also challenges around their roles as midwives - how can they carry out hands-on checks with pregnant women or care for women who are fearful of coming into hospitals because of the risk of infection? Sally Pairman, Chief Executive of the International Confederation of Midwives, describes how midwives' roles are changing.

Photo: A baby being examined Credit: Getty Images