THE Health Ministry will meet with doula practitioners or non-medical assistants as part of its effort to regulate the services of the birthing coaches. 

Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move was necessary to identify issues pertaining to the practice. 

“So far there’s no single benchmark (on regulating doula services) so we have to really identify the problem seriously. 

“We will have an engagement with doula practitioners in the near future on the matter,” he told reporters after attending the closing of Health Promotion in Learning Institutions Convention at the International Islamic University Malaysia. 

He said he has yet to receive official reports on matters involving doulas.

He said special regulation would ensure the safety and wellbeing of the mother and the baby during the birthing process. 

He said the practice needed to be regulated to prevent untoward incidents or harm to the mother and baby. 

A doula is an assistant or companion during the birth process to provide emotional support as well as information about pregnancy and birth such as pushing and breathing (during labour).

The issue pertaining to doula services first came to light in February after news on the death of a baby girl went viral on Facebook. It was said that she had been born at home but died due to complications while under the care of a doula. 

Police investigations however revealed that the doula was not involved in the infant’s death. – July 26, 2018.