By Ugochukwu Alaribe
UMUAHIA — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained traditional birth attendants across communities in Abia State on safe pregnancy practices and childbirth management as part of efforts to improve maternal and newborn health.
Speaking during the training, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said traditional birth attendants play important roles as community-based caregivers, particularly in areas where access to formal healthcare services is limited.
Ogbuku, represented by Mrs Dare Olokor Kwame, said the programme was designed to equip traditional birth attendants with the knowledge and skills required to promote safer pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care and financial preparedness during pregnancy.
The workshop, attended by over 150 traditional birth attendants from the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District, focused on evidence-based practices, cultural sensitivity, collaboration with healthcare professionals and improved maternal and newborn care.
The training also covered safe delivery practices, maternal health education, newborn care and early detection of pregnancy-related complications.
Ogbuku stressed that the initiative was not aimed at discouraging traditional birth attendants but at strengthening their capacity and ensuring they adopt safer practices.
“We are not against traditional birth attendants; we are here to strengthen them. We have educated them to practise only in clean environments and avoid harmful practices.
“They save lives where there are no doctors. Even doctors are not against them because many people were delivered by traditional birth attendants. Today, they have been trained to become role models who can train and retrain others working under them,” he said.
One of the guest lecturers, Dr Jude Okpani, noted that many childbirths still take place in rural communities where access to hospitals remains a challenge.
He said the outcome of pregnancies largely depends on adequate knowledge, access to antenatal care and safe delivery practices.
Okpani also advised pregnant women to make adequate financial preparations for childbirth, noting that some avoid hospitals because of concerns over medical expenses.
The training featured practical and interactive sessions where participants were taught how to monitor maternal and child health, promote proper nutrition and hygiene, identify pregnancy warning signs and prepare expectant mothers physically and mentally for delivery.
They were also trained on selecting safe delivery locations, preparing delivery materials, arranging emergency transportation, providing emergency funds, proper hand washing techniques, sterilisation of tools, safe waste disposal and essential delivery items such as gloves, antiseptics, clean clothes and other basic supplies.
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