Stakeholders Seek Bill On Home Births To Curb Unsafe Deliveries

Stakeholders in the health sector in Bauchi State have urged the State House of Assembly to expedite action on a proposed bill seeking to prohibit childbirth outside recognised health facilities, amid growing concerns over high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

The call was made during a media and stakeholders’ dialogue to sensitise residents on the dangers associated with giving birth at home.

Available national data indicate that Bauchi is among the states with the highest maternal mortality rates in the country.

A health specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr Seyi Olosunde, described the situation as alarming, noting that a significant number of newborns die within their first 28 days of life due to preventable causes linked to unsafe delivery practices.

He stressed the need for urgent interventions, including legislation, to reverse the trend.

It would be recalled that the speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, had on January 29 announced plans to introduce a bill to ban home childbirth.

Abubakar made this known during a two-day high-level engagement with policymakers and legislators in Jos, focused on improving sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as maternal, newborn and child healthcare and nutrition.

Suleiman expressed concern over findings from the National Demographic and Health Survey, which showed that only 31 per cent of women in Bauchi give birth in health facilities, while 69 per cent still deliver at home.

He further noted that although 57 per cent of 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, UNICEF social behaviour change expert, Mr George Eki, said the proposed legislation could help tackle harmful cultural practices surrounding childbirth.

He cited instances in rural communities where some husbands prevent their wives from seeking medical care, noting that without sustained awareness, such practices could persist across generations.

Other stakeholders, including officials of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board and development partners, expressed strong support for the bill.

They emphasised that while many women attend antenatal clinics, failure to deliver in health facilities significantly increases the risk of complications and death for both mother and child.

They argued that making hospital delivery mandatory could improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the state.

However, the stakeholders cautioned that legislation alone would not be sufficient, calling on the government to improve access to quality healthcare services, upgrade infrastructure, and address affordability challenges to ensure effective implementation of the proposed law.