58: OP #8, Malawi, day 8

Another morning in the antepartum clinic.   Malawi has decided to discourage traditional birth attendants (lay midwives), even to the point of criminalizing their activities, because attempts to bring them into mainstream medical practice failed.  With 90% having only a primary level education and with increasing age, they apparently were unable to assimilate the public health information and practice changes promoted by the Ministry of Health.  At least that's the government line.