October, 2019 | The Health
exclusive
23
My experience as a
medical student in the
UK for six years, and
working as a doctor
in the UK for 17 years,
have taught me that
myths and folk tales
are present even in
developed countries
and many people still
believe in them.”
of obstetric fistula during childbirth where
there is a tear on the wall of the urinary blad-
der leaving a communication between the
urinary bladder and the vagina. In the old
days when women had no choice but to birth
at home without Skilled Birth Attendants
(SBA), obstetric fistulas were more common.”
There are still countries where women
birth without Skilled Birth Attendants (in
many parts of Africa) where obstetric fistula
still occurs in 140,000 women per year.
However, in Malaysia, this is no longer true
because 99.4 per cent of births in Malaysia
is with the presence of Skilled Birth Atten-
dants, and obstetric fistula is now a very rare
occurrence.
“Thus, this is a myth, it has become a tra-
ditional story or a folk tale, but a potentially
harmful one as the woman who has just
undergone childbirth needs adequate hydra-
tion to prevent venous thromboembolic
disease, which is a known cause of maternal
death in Malaysia.”
To doula or not?
Doulas are companions in labour meant to
provide emotional and psychological support
for women during labour and childbirth.
Doulas are not formally trained healthcare
professionals and cannot replace midwives.
Dr Imelda’s feelings about doulas are not
a new thing. She was even featured on a
programme alongside a doula.
“I have a passion in women’s’ health and
issues surrounding pregnancy and childbirth
have major effects on long-term women’s
health. World Health Organisation have
stated that for a safe birth, all births must be
attended by ‘Skilled Birth Attendants’ (SBA)
and doulas do not qualify as SBA.
“Couples who wish to have a doula should
know that the role of a doula is to provide
moral support during labour and childbirth,
but doulas are not healthcare professionals
and cannot give medical advice.
“Doulas are not ‘Skilled Birth Attendants’
and cannot deliver babies. It is against the
law in Malaysia (1966 Midwifery Act) for
doulas to deliver babies because they are not
‘Skilled Birth Attendants’.”
Now ladies and gentlemen, you have your
answer.
(above left) Local
celebrity Lisa Surihani
(left), host of ‘Tanya Dr
Imelda’ with Dr Imelda.
Tanya Dr Imelda
“The idea behind ‘Tanya Dr Imelda’ show is
to bring awareness on how to prevent dis-
eases and when to seek the help of a medical
doctor.
“ We do this in Bahasa Malaysia
because some are less fluent in under-
standing medical jargons in the English
language.
“Often, we get patients who aren’t diag-
nosed early so that they can get the correct
treatment. This could have been prevented
by general health education.”
What is your advice to readers?
“Avoid exposing your own health ailments to
people you do not know on social media, and
do not ask in social media about your health
concerns. There are too many scammers out
there who are actively scouting for vulner-
able people.
“Instead, come and see a doctor formally
in the outpatient clinic if they had concerns
about their health. Their information is
protected by doctor-patient confidential-
ity.”— The Health