IWD 2024: Home child delivery a dangerous trend – Health Expert, Olosunde Warns Women

From: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

A health expert, Mr Oluseyi Olosunde has cautioned women against practicing child delivery at home in order to enhance their chances of their babies survival and themselves during childbirth.

Mr. Olosunde who is the Health Officer of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office gave the warning during a Media Dialogue to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) held at the Evolution Hotel in Gombe state.

Olosunde who presented a paper titled: “the Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office, said there is a need to empowerment women towards improved maternal child health.

The Media Dialogue, themed: “Invest in Women-Accelerate Progress”, drew media practitioners from the Bauchi UNICEF Field Office, Comprising of Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau states.

The Health Officer, said in some states, 6 out of 10 delivery takes place at home, while in others, 8 out of 10 delivery are done at home, thereby exposing children delivered at home to lean chances of survival, because they are attended by unskilled child delivery personnel.

According to him, child delivery at home poses serious danger to the mother in case of breach during Labour, as the home lacks the necessary equipments to detect the problem with a view to tackling it.

Welcoming participants to the meeting via zoom, Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office said the International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8 to honour the achievements of women and promotes women’s rights worldwide.

Dr. Rane who noted the needs for gender equality and promoting women’s well-being in all facets of life, is paramount for building prosperous economies and fostering a healthy planet.

He maintained that the IWD serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead regarding the plights of women.

“It’s a day to honor the trailblazing women who have paved the way for future generations, a day to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in every sphere of society, from politics and business to science, arts, and beyond.

Rane said that the media dialogue was meant to create avenue for the participants to learn about remarkable achievements of community-based women in the health sector in Bauchi Field Office of the UNICEF through the mama2mama initiative.

He explained that in Mama2Mama Initiative, Women often act as health advocates and educators within their communities, raising awareness about health issues and encourage community members to seek healthcare when needed.

The UNICEF chief field office Bauchi region, Dr. Tushar Rane pointed out that investing in the health, rights, and wellbeing of adolescent girls generates a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.