Synergy of Midwives and Paraji: Finding the Plurality Side in the Maternal and Child Health Care System

Background: The government issued a Delivery social insurance program (Jampersal) to reduce the Maternal and Infant Mortality Rate (MMR and IMR). Choice of aid delivery is a midwife or paraji (TBAs) in District Cirinten, Lebak, Banten. This paper reviews the diversity in the system of Maternal and Child Health Service. Methods: descriptive study, conducted in 2012 in the village Cirinten. Conducted in-depth interviews to the midwife and paraji as well as observations of the activities of service delivery by both. Results: Coverage deliveries by health workers in Cirinten health centers was 50.4% in 2011. The concept of 'traditional', 'local' and 'modern' is used to describe the differences between plural MCH system in a community. Three factors related to health seeking behavior that is healing factors, psychological, and sociological. Cirinten community has a continuous historical experience in a belief system that affects the choice of TBAs (paraji). Cultural contact with the medical system affect the view of society through the traditional health care system. Conclusion: Paraji as TBAs in the remote area has a role to be a mediator between the traditional and modern MCH systems. Recomendation: Utilizing paraji to advocate the health care/MCH system to public who still believe in traditional health system through establish communications between them.