Why women must shun child delivery at home – UNICEF Health Officer
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Women have been cautioned to avoid practicing child delivery at home in order to enhance their chances of survival during and even after delivery.
A Health Officer with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office Oluseyi Olosunde gave the caution during a Media Dialogue to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) held at the Evolution Hotel in Gombe state.
Mr. Olusunde who presented a paper titled: “the Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in Bauchi Field Office, said there was the need 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 due been attended by unskilled child delivery personnel.
According to him, child delivery at home poses serious danger to the mother in case of breach during labor, as the home lacks the necessary equipments to detect the problem with a view to tackling it.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office stated that the International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8 to honor the achievements of women and promotes women’s rights worldwide.
According to Dr. Rane, ensuring 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 said 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 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.
Dr. Rane pointed out that investing in the health, rights, and wellbeing of adolescent girls generates a transformative ripple effect that uplifts entire nations.
He noted that the contributions of women has paved the way for inclusive and sustainable development, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
He emphasized on the need push further for a world, characterized by equity and inclusivity, where girls and boys are empowered to access and benefit from the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections, fostering a society where every person can thrive.
Dr. Rane enjoined the participants to use their various wide-reaching media platforms to set the public and political agenda for the wellbeing of women and adolescent girls.