Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The United Nations Children’s Fund has decried the alarming rate of home deliveries in Bauchi State, revealing that a staggering seven out of 10 deliveries in the state take place at home.
According to the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria-Bauchi Field Office, Rafique, this trend is largely responsible for the high maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
Rafique made this known at the 2024 Bauchi State Primary Health Care Annual Retreat in Gombe.
Rafique expressed concern that despite efforts by stakeholders, maternal mortality, child mortality, and newborn mortality remain high in Bauchi State.
She attributed this to the lack of access to healthcare facilities, with only 30 per cent of deliveries taking place in healthcare facilities.
“The risk of a newborn dying is higher at home since there are no healthcare professionals to attend to cases of emergencies.
“Public health studies have shown that having skilled birth attendants and a functional healthcare system is key to improving newborns’ care while reducing under-five mortality,” she noted.
Rafique urged the state government to increase its share of primary healthcare to achieve more enhanced healthcare service deliveries.
She also emphasised the need to prioritize birth registration, hygiene, vaccination, health services, schooling, sanitation, safe water, and nutrition.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Jatau restated the state government’s commitment to improving the health care system in the state.
Jatau, while highlighting key achievements recorded by the state in primary health care delivery, said the feat was achieved through the collective efforts of all stakeholders through the support of development partners.
“I am happy to see some progress recorded in the 2023 NDHIS Survey where the state has moved from 31 per cent to 58 per cent in Penta 3 coverage.
“We were ranked best, second to Adamawa in the country, though, marginal progress was recorded in some of the indicators such as maternal and child health.
“While in the aspect of nutrition, together we need more commitment and support to improve health services in all levels of care,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to work closely during the retreat to devise result-oriented strategies to ensure improvement of the overall health indicators.
Jatau commended the Federal Government through its various health agencies, the Aliko Dangote and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, UNICEF, WHO, and other developmental partners for their technical and financial support to the state.
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