The traditional birth attendants - Can we do without them?

India is facing a formidable task of tackling a very high neonatal mortality which contributes significantly to very high infant and under five mortality rates.¹ This unacceptable rate of newborn mortality can be traced to the absence of appropriate care for women and newborns at the community level. The problem is compounded with poor care seeking behavior, inadequate health care services, and a myriad of harmful traditional practices for maternal and child care. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have traditionally been assisting the women during childbirth for centuries in India. TBAs provide community members with not only delivery services, but with emotional support and practical assistance both before and after the birth. TBAs are valued members of the community and can be more influential than outside medical personnel in encouraging community members to modify and improve existing practices surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.² Currently, UN and government policies exclude TBAs from officially providing maternal or newborn care in the community. But there are several facts which question such a policy. Can we wish away the TBAs? Can we do without them?This communication will attempt to examine a constructive role of TBAs as a community health care provider including newborn care.