Bauchi Assembly: Bill To Ban Unsafe Childbirth Not Attack On Traditional Birth Attendants – Speaker

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has said the proposed Bill to prohibit unsafe childbirth and regulate blood transfusion is not an attack on traditional birth attendants (TBAs), stressing that every pregnant woman deserves the opportunity to give birth safely.

The Speaker stated this on Friday while delivering a keynote address at a public hearing on the bill organised by the House committee on health and human services to obtain inputs from relevant stakeholders towards enacting an inclusive and effective law for the state.

He explained that the proposed legislation was prompted by the realities facing communities across Bauchi State, particularly the high incidence of maternal and newborn deaths associated with unsafe childbirth practices, delayed referrals, inadequate emergency response and unsafe blood transfusion.

According to him, the Bill is built around three key areas which include preventing harmful practices, ensuring preparedness through the early identification of obstetric emergencies, and protecting mothers and newborns through safe and properly regulated blood transfusion services.

Suleiman emphasised that the legislation was not intended to target traditional birth attendants or health workers, but rather to establish a framework that would strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, clearly define responsibilities and promote safety, dignity and accountability in maternal healthcare.

He commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his administration’s investments in the health sector, while also acknowledging the contributions of development partners, civil society organisations, medical professionals and traditional institutions to improving healthcare delivery in the state.

The Speaker urged participants at the public hearing to make practical and constructive submissions that would enable the Assembly to produce a law that is culturally sensitive, medically sound and enforceable.

Also speaking, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Musa Dambam, described the public hearing as timely, noting that the various health projects and interventions initiated by the state government had laid a solid foundation for the smooth passage and implementation of the proposed legislation.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, Hon. Dauda Lawal, urged stakeholders to make extensive contributions to the Bill, saying their inputs would help the Assembly address gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare.

Stakeholders who presented goodwill messages and submitted memoranda at the public hearing included the State Chief Judge, Commissioner for Justice, representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Correctional Service, gynaecologists, Colleges of Health Sciences, religious groups and UNICEF.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Bello Jadori said the Committee would carefully consider all submissions made during the hearing.

He assured stakeholders that both verbal and written contributions received would be incorporated, where appropriate, into the final version of the legislation to ensure the state has a comprehensive and effective law on safe childbirth and blood transfusion.