By Ishaq Haruna Hardawa
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS), in collaboration with the Ganjuwa Volunteers and Health Workers Sensitization Forum, has intensified community engagement efforts to address the growing trend of home deliveries in Miya town, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The campaign, which focused on raising awareness about the dangers associated with home delivery, brought together community members, health workers, and other stakeholders to promote safer childbirth practices.
Speaking during the sensitization programme, the CHAMPS Lead Community Engagement Officer, Dr. Jamilu Yaya, said the initiative became necessary due to the increasing number of pregnant women delivering at home in the area.
He explained that the campaign also aims to identify underlying factors discouraging women from accessing healthcare facilities during childbirth.
Dr. Jamilu Yaya noted that many of the women engaged during the outreach expressed willingness to change by attending antenatal care services and opting for delivery at health centres.
He further called on all stakeholders including community leaders, healthcare providers, and families to collaborate in addressing the factors contributing to unsafe delivery practices.
Also speaking, CHAMPS Project Lead for Data-to-Action, Dr. Abubakar Musa Sari, highlighted the medical risks associated with home delivery to include postpartum haemorrhage, prolonged labour, eclampsia among others which can lead to severe complications or even death, if not properly managed.
Dr. Abubakar Sari revealed that available data indicates that over 60 percent of pregnant women in CHAMPS intervention areas still deliver at home, underscoring the urgent need for intensified awareness and intervention.
In an interview, the Chairman of the Ganjuwa Volunteers and Health Workers Sensitisation Forum, Ibrahim Shehu, reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to continued collaboration with CHAMPS.
He said efforts would be intensified to educate women of reproductive age on the importance of seeking medical care before, during, and after childbirth.
Some of the women who participated in the sensitization programme cited several reasons for preferring home delivery to including long distances to health facilities, poverty, transportation challenges, and cultural beliefs.
