Abstract overview:
Greek midwives can play a crucial role in primary healthcare, providing gynaecological, maternal, newborn and community care. Understanding midwives' challenges and opportunities in public Health Centers of the 3rd Health Region (HR) is essential for strengthening midwifery services.

Aims and objectives:
To explore the challenges and opportunities in midwifery practice within the framework of public primary care in Greece and the implementation of the National Prevention Programme “Spyros Doxiadis”, focusing on the experiences of the Midwifery Network of the 3rd HR, under the Greek Ministry of Health.

Method:
A mixed-methods approach was employed, including quantitative data collection on midwifery services and qualitative insights from midwives across the region. Data from provided services, community awareness sessions, training and educational needs assessments were analysed to identify patterns and emerging themes.

Results:
Today, seventy midwives serve in 26 Health Centers within the 3rd RHA jurisdiction. In most of them, midwives offer the full range of midwifery services, with the most in-demand services being: prenatal classes, Pap-smear testing, and counselling for gynaecological cancer prevention. The structural and operational challenges the Midwifery Network of the 3rd HR recorded include understaffing, resource limitations, non-related duties, incapability to prescribe medicines and examinations, fragmented communication among healthcare providers, and enhanced professional development opportunities. Moreover, this study identifies significant opportunities, such as the potential for strengthening community-based midwifery care in the cortex of the “Midwives at Home” reform, expanding collaborative networks, promoting evidence-based practices and extending the midwife’s role in the “Spyros Doxiadis” Public Health Prevention Programme.

Conclusion:
Midwives in the public Health Centers of the 3rd HR play a vital role despite the challenges they face. Strengthening community-based care models, expanding collaborative networks, offering educational opportunities and integrating midwives into national public health initiatives will further enhance midwifery services and improve maternal and women’s health outcomes in Greece.