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November 17, 2025
Manitoba Government Expands Prenatal Care in Interlake-Eastern Health Region with Midwifery Services
SELKIRK—The Manitoba government is strengthening access to prenatal care and family support by introducing new midwifery services in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region (IERHA), Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced here today.
“Our government is committed to making sure every Manitoban can access the health care they need, closer to home,” said Kinew. “We are fixing our health-care system by staffing up and expanding services like this midwifery program to support pregnant people and new families provincewide. This launch in the IERHA is a great step forward in delivering better care and better support for families in rural and northern Manitoba.”
The new program, which is fully integrated with existing primary care and obstetrical services throughout the region, will begin with two full-time midwives. The midwives will provide comprehensive care including prenatal visits, labour and birth support, newborn care, postpartum follow-up and reproductive sexual health care. The first midwifery office is in the Interlake-Eastern Health Services building at 100 Easton Dr. in Selkirk.
“Midwives offer personalized support, expertise and care that will greatly benefit pregnant people and new parents in IERHA. This program is a wonderful complement to the prenatal care teams already doing incredible work in the region,” said Asagwara. “By integrating midwifery into primary and obstetrical services, we are creating a more seamless and supportive experience for families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.”
“This announcement is momentous for families of the Interlake and eastern regions who for the first time in 25 years have access to midwifery care,” said Sarah Harpe, president of the Midwives Association of Manitoba. “We are hopeful for a future where Manitoba families can receive equitable access to excellent sexual, reproductive and newborn midwifery services close to home.”
“Our priority is caring for those who do not have easy access to prenatal care and supporting women who experience barriers in accessing health services,” said Beckie Wood, midwifery access and co-ordination lead, IERHA. “Midwifery Services works with each pregnant person and their family to identify their unique physical, social and emotional needs, and to support them in having their needs met.”
The Manitoba government is encouraging pregnant women in the IERHA to access prenatal intake by telling their family doctor or nurse practitioner of their interest in the program. People can also self-refer by calling 204-482-2150 or emailing prenatalintake@ierha.ca. The IERHA will connect everyone who calls or has been referred to prenatal intake with a midwife or a family doctor for prenatal care.
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For more information:
- Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
- Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
- Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.
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