Speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Hamilton said a reduction in the rate of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality hinges on the engagement of midwives with pregnant women.

Midwifery in Jamaica started in 1886 where the first set of women were selected from each parish to commence training as district midwives, and the training lasted for two years.

Prior to 1886, unskilled persons called 'nana' or 'midi' were attending births and as such [the] maternal morbidity and mortality rate was extremely high, hence the Government of the day decided to commence the training of midwives in order to lower the death rate,” Hamilton said.

The majority of maternal deaths are avoidable when women have access to quality reproductive health care, including skilled attendance at birth.

Other examples of high-risk classifications, according to Hamilton, include having a previous Caesarean(C)-section, diabetes, cardiac disease, anaemia, teenage pregnancy, advanced maternal age, twin pregnancy, triplets, troubling obstetric history, pelvic injury, viral illnesses, and any underlying health conditions.