Application of sharia childbirth innovation model in Indonesia: Perspective of midwives and staff of the Islamic Service Unit

BACKGROUND: The implementation of Sharia Model Childbirth (SMC) is in accordance with Fatwa Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) no l07/DSN-MUI/X/2016 on the practice of sharia principles in health services. Sharia services in hospitals are general. This SMC innovation is specific and comprehensive, covering prenatal, delivery and postnatal. This model was implemented in 2017 but has never been qualitatively evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of SMC in the maternity services from the perspective of midwives and staff of the Islamic service unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Applied qualitative research was conducted from 5 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. In-person in-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guidelines. Informants were taken from the midwives of the maternity room and the Islamic service installation until a fair saturation of data was achieved. Observational and documentation were conducted for the validity of the data. The data were analyzed thematically and presented in themes and sub-themes. RESULTS: The results of the study were on the work procedures implemented, and the obstacles and shortcomings found. Most of the procedures and accompanying regulations had been implemented. Participants revealed obstacles and shortcomings in this innovative program. The major obstacle found was that the patient’s right to choose a female medical officer was not fulfilled because of the type of teaching hospital it was and the lack of female medical staff. The shortcomings were in the reading of prayers and remembrances, the understanding of the contents of the manual, and the design of the delivery room, which did not maintain privacy. CONCLUSION: Overall, SMC is being implemented, but there are obstacles and shortcomings in the implementation. Solutions and regulations in sharia services should urgently be found and enforced. The deficiencies in this innovative program must be corrected immediately.