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Bauchi set to ban childbirth outside health facilities
Bauchi State government is set to ban childbirth outside health facilities which have been identified as major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in many parts of Nigeria, especially rural communities.
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abubakar Suleiman, disclosed plans to introduce a bill to that effect, during a two-day high-level engagement with policymakers and legislators on improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare and Nutrition, held in Jos.
He expressed concern over findings from the National Demographic and Health Survey, which indicate that only 31% of women in Bauchi deliver in health facilities, while 69% gives birth at home.
The Speaker also noted that although 57 out of every 100 pregnant women attend antenatal care, many still opt for home delivery.
“All these are fundamental rights, not privileges. We are considering a law that will compel women to utilise antenatal services and deliver in health facilities to reduce maternal and child mortality,” he said.
Also speaking, a Social Behaviour Change expert with UNICEF, Mr George Eki, said the proposed legislation could help address harmful cultural practices associated with childbirth.
“We have seen cases in rural communities where husbands prevent their wives from seeking medical care.
Stakeholders in the health sector in Bauchi State have eatlier called on the State House of Assembly to fast-track a proposed bill seeking to ban childbirth outside health facilities, citing rising concerns over maternal and neonatal mortality.
According to national data, Bauchi remains among the states with the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.
Some traditional rulers and religious leaders have supported the enactment of the law to reduce dangers of home delivery in the State.
Similarly, there has been overwhelming concern by stakeholders in the health sector with calls for the State House of Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill and for the Governor to approve it to become enforceable law.
Speaking on the matter, a health specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund, Mr Seyi Olosunde, highlighted alarming statistics showing that many newborns die within their first 28 days of life, largely due to preventable causes linked to unsafe delivery practices.
He stressed the need for urgent interventions by all stakeholders including legislation by the State lawmakers to reverse the trend.
Several candidates recently shortlisted for recruitment into the Nigerian Army from Imo State have sustained varying degrees of injuries after the vehicle conveying them to the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Kaduna State, was involved in a road accident on Saturday.
The candidates were said to be travelling to the training institution to commence their basic military training when the accident occurred.
Military sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the journey was being coordinated under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel P.D. Ngal.
A military source said the victims had successfully passed the recruitment process and were heading to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training before the accident disrupted the journey.
“The candidates from Imo State were on their way to the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria to begin their recruit training when the accident happened this morning,” the source said.
Videos seen by our correspondent showed several injured candidates lying by the roadside and inside damaged vehicles as emergency responders and other travellers made frantic efforts to evacuate them.
Many of the injured candidates were subsequently rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the accident and the number of casualties had yet to be officially confirmed.
Benue State Police Command has condemned the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and another man, Yakubu Isa, describing the attack as a senseless criminal act capable of undermining ongoing peace and security efforts in the state.
The victims were reportedly attacked by gunmen while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu-Ogoli Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, condemned the killings and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The Commissioner of Police strongly condemns in its entirety the brutal killing of the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa, who were reportedly attacked by unknown assailants while returning from a security meeting along Okwudu-Ogoli Road, Otukpo,” the statement read.
According to the police, the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, with tactical and intelligence teams deployed to track down those responsible.
The Commissioner assured residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.
The police also urged anyone with credible information that could aid the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.
Three bandits have been arrested in Benue state after a lady who they had kidnapped and released, identified them at a motor park and raised alarm.
The k!kidnappers came to Ihotu park to board a vehicle to Makurdi and were met by the lady they had earlier kidnapped and released after collecting ransom from her relatives.
They were even using a bag they collected from the girl. The girl raised the alarm, held one inside the vehicle, and two took to their heels, but were caught.
They had a ghana-must-go bag at the back of the vehicle. N11m was found inside the bag.
Following the confirmation of their identity by another lady who was also their victim, mob gathered around with the intent to beat them up and possibly set them ablaze.
But the park manager decided to invite the police and soldiers who rescued them and took them to their station.
It was later gathered that the Benue state Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia called and said he was interested in the case which made the police to take the apprehended bandits to Makurdi, the state capital.
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