By Our Reporter
WARRI — In a major bid to tackle preventable deaths among mothers and infants, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a strategic intervention under the Federal Government’s Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
The Commission flagged off the campaign during a specialized Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) Workshop organized for healthcare practitioners and community women across Delta and Bayelsa States.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, called on rural women and birth attendants to integrate traditional birthing techniques with orthodox medical practices to ensure safer deliveries and significantly drop regional mortality figures.
Represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services (EHSS), Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, Ogbuku warned that current maternal and infant death statistics in the region remain alarming and require urgent, unified action.
”The rate of death among children and women is alarming and needs total eradication. This training is meant to enlighten our women, and it should not be taken for granted,” Ogbuku stated.
He explained that the workshop was specifically tailored to strengthen the skills of traditional birth attendants in safe maternal care, enabling them to recognize pregnancy-related complications early and make swift referrals to secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Also addressing the participants, the NDDC Director of EHSS, Dr. Patience Ezugu, represented by Dr. Otokolo Fidelis, revealed that more than 300 women across Delta and Bayelsa participated in the exercise. Beyond the training, the beneficiaries were equipped with essential medical tools and financial assistance to support their practice within their respective communities.
Underlining the necessity of the program, resource person Mrs. Gift Akitiri pointed out that traditional birth attendants remain the first line of care in many rural communities.
”Traditional birth attendants are trusted members of these localities. By equipping them with updated knowledge, we are ensuring that mothers and newborns receive timely, appropriate care to improve overall health outcomes,” Akitiri said.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Francisca Odiakosa, a practicing TBA, commended the NDDC for bringing the training to the grassroots level and urged the Commission to expand the program.
”This is a very good initiative by the NDDC. I have gained knowledge that will enhance the quality of healthcare I deliver to my community. Most importantly, I have learned when and how to promptly refer mothers to standard health centers whenever complications arise beyond my capacity,” Odiakosa noted.
