KUALA LUMPUR: The Midwives Exhibition at the National Museum here, which displays artefacts and materials related to midwifery practices of the various communities, is a platform for visitors to better understand local customs and traditions involving prenatal care, labour and confinement.
National Unity Minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, said among the equipment that are on display at the exhibition from May 1 to July 31, are a Dayak ethnic baby bath tub, Orang Ulu Kenyah baby body support, Chinese maternity chair, sengkalan and lupong which are containers used by the Iban to store medicine.
He said through this inaugural exhibition, visitors can get to know about the history and traditional midwifery practices and how the development of the midwifery profession has evolved into modern practices.
"Indirectly, this exhibition also provides the public with the opportunity to better understand the cultural differences and similarities between the various races in Malaysia in terms of childbirth and safely delivering a baby.
"The diversity in community practices, customs and traditions in the midwifery world leads to cultural interaction and creates mutual respect among the community, further helping to achieve national unity," he said at the opening ceremony, here today (May 11).
The event, held together with the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM) Aidilfitri celebration, was also attended by Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauno and JMM director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim.
Meanwhile, Kamarul Baharin said over 50,000 visitors are expected during the three-month exhibition which will also showcase a replica of a delivery room scene.
He said the exhibition, organised in conjunction with World Midwife Day which was celebrated on May 5, is a show of appreciation for the role midwives play in providing health services to expectant mothers and their newborn babies.
At the exhibition, visitors will also be exposed to the traditional midwifery practices of the Orang Asli, the melenggang perut or rite of passage ritual of the Malay community, the Valaikappu prenatal ceremony as well as Man Yue (full month) celebration for the Indian and Chinese communities. – Bernama