Sodiq Ojuroungbe The United Nations Children’s Fund has decried the alarming rate of home deliveries in Bauchi State, revealing that a staggering seven out of 10 deliveries in the state take place at home. According to the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria-Bauchi Field Office, Rafique, this trend is largely responsible for the high maternal and child mortality rates in the state. Rafique made this known at the 2024 Bauchi State Primary Health Care Annual Retreat in Gombe.
Rafique expressed concern that despite efforts by stakeholders, maternal mortality, child mortality, and newborn mortality remain high in Bauchi State. She attributed this to the lack of access to healthcare facilities, with only 30 per cent of deliveries taking place in healthcare facilities. “The risk of a newborn dying is higher at home since there are no healthcare professionals to attend to cases of emergencies.
“Public health studies have shown that having skilled birth attendants and a functional healthcare system is key to improving newborns’ care while reducing under-five mortality,” she noted. Rafique urged the state government to increase its share of primary healthcare to achieve more enhanced healthcare service deliveries. She also emphasised the need to prioritize birth registration, hygiene, vaccination, health services, schooling, sanitation, safe water, and nutrition.
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Jatau restated the state government’s commitment t.