By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Children who are given birth to at home are more likely to die, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
UNICEF also warned that the pregnant women who give birth at home risk death should there be complications during labour.
The Health Officer for UNICEF Bauchi field office, Oluseyi Olosunde, gave the warning while presenting a paper during a media dialogue to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, held in Gombe.
The paper was titled: “The Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office.”
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that the Media Dialogue which drew journalists from the Bauchi UNICEF Field Office comprising of Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau states had the theme: “Invest in Women-Accelerate Progress.”
Olosunde said there is a need to empower women towards improved maternal and child health.
According to him, in some states, six out of every 10 delivery take place at home, while in others, eight 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.
He pointed out that 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.
In his welcome address to participants at the meeting, the Chief, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Tushar Rane, 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.
Rane who noted the needs for gender equality and promoting women’s well-being in all facets of life, said it 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.
According to him: “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.”
He 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.
The UNICEF Chief 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.
He pointed out that investing in the health, rights, and wellbeing of adolescent girls generates a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.
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