Traditional birth attendants save mothers due to insufficient healthcare practitioners in rural communities
Story from Hamzat Ibrahim Abaga
The maternal mortality crisis in Nigeria, especially in the North East region has increased at an alarming rate with 800 out of 1,000 women dying during childbirth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 1,500 women’s deaths per 100,000 births in the region.
According to MAWA-Foundation Community Voice Project, investment in the training of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to improve community health has become necessary.
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The training of TBAs is crucial in addressing maternal health crises, however, their practice is seen as dangerous by health professionals and is often overlooked by governments.
Primary Healthcare Centres in rural communities have become dilapidated and are unable to deliver services, leaving pregnant women to rely on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) for care.
Communities place their trust in TBAs, and they can help raise awareness of family planning and immunisation.
Developing partners and government officials have been urged to invest in and include TBAs in addressing the maternal mortality crisis.
