By Mubarak Mahmood
Bauchi State House of Assembly has considered a bill seeking to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices and unregulated blood transfusions across the state.
The proposed legislation has passed for second reading during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Jamilu Umaru Dahiru.
The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Suleiman aims to tackle the rising cases of maternal and perinatal deaths linked to home deliveries and unsafe medical practices.
Leading the debate, Abubakar Sulaiman cited findings from the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance Review, which revealed that a significant number of births in Bauchi State occur at home without skilled attendants, exposing mothers and newborns to life-threatening complications.
He further expressed concern over the increasing cases of unsafe blood transfusions carried out in unregistered facilities and homes, noting that such practices could result in severe health complications and the spread of infections such as Hepatitis and HIV.
The Speaker explained that the legislation would protect pregnant women by making it an offence for any individual to prevent them from accessing proper medical care at recognized health institutions.
The House also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Bauchi State Government in strengthening primary healthcare services, noted that more legal measures are required to address persistent challenges in the health sector.
After deliberation, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Health for further legislative action.