Abstract
In-depth interviews were conducted with a representative group of indigenous midwives from 23 villages in rural Punjab in 1971. Every Punjabi village has 1 or 2 of these midwives and they play an important role in maternity and child care. Practically all deliveries are made by them. Their role in fostering and participating in local rituals superstitions and folkways makes them an accepted part of rural life; the fact that trained midwives from the Health Centre do not take part in such rituals may explain their non-acceptability. To strengthen local maternity and family planning programs the indigenous midwife should be drawn into the various Health Centre programs and activities. With further training in scientific methods and techniques of conducting deliveries and providing family planning services the midwife can truly become a national asset.
Published Version
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