Dantsoho, who is the Director of Public Health in the state’s Ministry of Health, said “pregnant women prefer to stay around the PHC when due for delivery to avoid complications.
“The well furnished labour waiting room would, therefore, help women from distant places to stay near the PHC until delivery.
“This would also strengthen complete healthcare system and reduce maternal and infant mortality.”
He advised health workers to adhere strictly to professional ethics and shun all forms of bad dealings.
Another facilitator, Hajiya Amina Abdu-Gusau, led participants on practical aspects of handling patients, especially pregnant women and manners that would facilitate public confidence.
Abdu-Gusau, also a Director of Community Health, noted that pregnant women in labour with suspected complications and those from poor family backgrounds and distant places should be prioritised at the established waiting rooms.
Malam Umar Idris, the UNFPA Spotlight Project Desk Officer in Sokoto State, said the effort was to improve needs for Antenatal, Postnatal Care, Contraception, Vaccinations for Child and Maternity Waiting Home.
Idris said the effort was also geared toward enhancing the roles of community members in advocating for the overall antenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women.
He explained that the Spotlight Initiative project aimed to support the transformative change on the ground and end violence against women and girls and harmful traditional practices in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that community and traditional leaders dialogue engagements were conducted to improve awareness on the maternity waiting home for sustainability in Bagarawa and Kofar Rini communities.
The discussion platforms were attended by community, traditional leaders and district heads to mobilise support for ownership and sustainability for maternity waiting home.
There were also discussions on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Harmful Practices.
Participants pledged to mobilise support toward the use of labour waiting rooms and ending SGBV and harmful practices.
Some participants, Musa Ibrahim, Lubabatu Bello and Murjanatu Yunusa, lamented the hardships faced by pregnant women during false labour when they came for delivery at the facility.
They expressed optimism that the labour waiting room would strengthen maternal health and prevent maternal and infant mortality, which occurred at times due to non-availability of accommodation for pregnant women to reside within healthcare facility. (NAN)