Bauchi Unveils Bill To Ban Unsafe Childbirth, Unregulated Blood Transfusion

Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has introduced a bill to tackle the rising cases of maternal and perinatal deaths in the state.

The proposed legislation, presented during yesterday’s plenary, scaled second reading with unanimous support from lawmakers. It seeks to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices and unregulated blood transfusion, which have been identified as major contributors to preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.

Leading the debate, the Speaker, who represents Ningi Constituency, cited alarming findings from the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) conducted by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board.

According to the report, 7 out of every 10 births in Bauchi occur at home without skilled medical supervision. Between July and December 2022 alone, a total of 872 maternal and perinatal deaths were recorded across 123 health facilities, including 56 maternal deaths and 816 neonatal fatalities.

Suleiman noted that the situation has continued to deteriorate, with rising mortality rates reported in key facilities such as Toro General Hospital and urban maternity centres.

The Speaker explained that the bill is designed to address these challenges through strict regulation and enforcement.

He said the bill contained provisions including a prohibition on unregistered home deliveries, a ban on blood transfusions outside licensed health facilities, authority to seal illegal clinics, sanctions against individuals engaging in unsafe medical practices, and protection for pregnant women, including criminalising attempts to deny them access to proper healthcare.

He warned that unsafe blood transfusions carried out in unlicensed settings expose patients to life-threatening complications and infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.

Lawmakers who contributed to the debate described the bill as timely and necessary.

Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir commended the Speaker for sponsoring the legislation, noting that it would significantly curb harmful traditional practices if passed into law.

Similarly, Hon. Nasiru Ahmed Ala attributed the persistence of unsafe practices to poverty and lack of awareness, citing tragic incidents in his constituency linked to unqualified practitioners and unsafe transfusions.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Jamilu Barade, expressed optimism that the bill would serve as a lasting solution to the state’s high rate of maternal and neonatal deaths.

Speaking to journalists after the plenary, Suleiman emphasised that the success of the bill would depend on effective implementation and enforcement by relevant authorities and health institutions.

He also commended the Bauchi State Government under Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for its ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services, stressing that legislative backing is essential to address persistent gaps.

The bill follows increased advocacy on maternal health issues, including a recent training for health reporters organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists with support from UNICEF.

Stakeholders had earlier urged the Speaker to fulfil his commitment to addressing unsafe childbirth practices, a promise he made during a workshop held in Jos earlier in 2026.