fund. In the event of a death police and local authorities were made aware of the arrangement, so that bus drivers would not be held liable. West Africa: Some countries in West Africa use a yellow flag as a signal to passing drivers that a laboring woman is in distress. Willing drivers stop and transport the woman to a health facility. Communication programs Uganda: UNFPA provides TBAs with solar-powered VHF-radio that connects directly to the health provider, walkie-talkies for TBAs, and ambulance services. UNFPA has reported success. UNFPA stresses the importance of both communication and transportation to improve service delivery of maternal health services. Sierra Leone: Health staff used a two-way radio to communicate with other facilities to improve referrals and alert staff of their arrival and situation. A solar powered system worked better than a battery charged system. Communication difficulties were experienced in mountainous regions. Health centers resolved this issue by communicating to closer centers, which then communicated the message to the desired destination. Promising techniques to resolve both communication and transportation barriers to care “Techniques to reduce or eliminate costs of obstetrical referrals (including transport subsidies, community emergency transport schemes and funds, and community or individual prepayment schemes ).” “Maternity waiting homes.” “Birth-emergency plans (also known as birth-preparedness/complication-readiness plans).” Lay midwifery in developed countries In developed countries, some traditional or lay midwives are becoming increasingly vocal in support of their right to practice without formal regulation, advocating for a woman's right to choose her place of birth and birth attendants. They see their role to include promoting change in societal attitudes towards birth, and favouring the "art" of midwifery founded on maternal or compassionate instincts, rather than over-medicalization of this natural event. See also Birth attendant Maternal health Unlicensed assistive personnel References Traditional healthcare occupations