PIP: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia have all developed programs to train traditional midwives to deliver improved maternal and childhealth services including family planning. The Philippine program has greatly accelerated its efforts and hopes to train 5000 midwives during 1977-1978. In Indonesia where about 80% of births are attended by traditional midwives, a total of 34,110 had been trained by the end of 1976 -- 10,000 during 1975-1976. Studies have shown that while there is an initial spurt in family planning recruitment for each midwife, the number levels off after a while to about 2 new acceptors per month. It has been found, also, that properly trained and supervised midwives make a positive contribution to the overall health system. Traditional midwives are gradually fading out to be replaced by trained, graduate midwives but during the transition period their role will continue to be important, especially in rural areas.