The Arunachal midwifery revival: bringing traditional birth attendants into the system

In Arunachal’s high villages, the traditional birth attendant — the woman who has caught every baby in the valley — is being brought into the health system: trained in sterile technique, registered, and paid for her work.

The programme bridges two worlds: the attendants keep their role and their trust, and the clinics gain a door into communities they could never reach.

Early data shows fewer home births ending badly, and more clinic births beginning at home.