Traditional birth attendants in Malawi

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Maternal and Child Health
• Traditional Medicine

Background:

• Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and traditional healers are integral to primary healthcare delivery in Malawi.
• The majority of Malawians rely on traditional practitioners for healthcare and childbirth, with approximately 60% of deliveries occurring in villages.
• Integrating traditional practitioners into formal healthcare systems is essential for achieving the 'Health for all by the year 2000' goal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Malawi's primary healthcare system.
• To describe the development and implementation of a national training program for TBAs.
• To emphasize the role of TBAs in achieving maternal and child health objectives.

Main Methods:

• The study outlines the evolution of the TBA training program within Malawi's Ministry of Health.
• It details the establishment of a register for trained TBAs starting in 1976.
• The implementation of training courses, including a national program initiated in 1982, is described.

Main Results:

• A national training program for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) was established in 1982.
• By February 1987, a total of 841 TBAs had been trained.
• The training program for TBAs is ongoing and continues to expand.

Conclusions:

• Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) play a critical role in primary healthcare and childbirth in Malawi.
• The formal training and integration of TBAs are essential components of Maternal and Child Health Services.
• The established national training program demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the capacity of TBAs and improving health outcomes.