By Murtala Muhammad
Stakeholders in Bauchi State’s health sector have expressed concern over rising cases of maternal mortality, calling on the State House of Assembly to fulfill its pledge of coming up with legislation thet will prohibit child delivery at home.
Statistics show that Bauchi is among the leading states in the country with the highest maternal deaths, which generated reactions from participants during a recent media dialogue in Bauchi.
The event, organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), drew about fifty journalists from broadcast, print and online platforms.
A Health Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Mr Oluseyi Olosunde outlined data showing preventable deaths linked to poor access to skilled birth attendants and emphasised the urgent need for reforms to reverse the state’s maternal health status.
Available figures from the National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS indicates that only thirty-one per cent of women in Bauchi deliver in hospitals, leaving 69% exposed to risky and unregulated childbirth practices at home.
The data shows 57 out of every 100 pregnant women attend antenatal sessions but still resort to home delivery, this according to experts illustrate systemic challenges and persistent cultural barriers as well as reducing safe maternal healthcare.
The Speaker of State House of Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman had in January this year during a lawmakers’ engagement in Jos, Plateau state acknowledged the gravity of the situation and pledged that the Assembly would draft a bill prohibiting home delivery.
Abubakar Sulaiman also assured stronger legislative oversight to ensure health facilities across the state provide quality and efficient services to patients particularly pregnant women and neonates.
