By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has strengthened its partnership with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) across the state as part of efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths and ensure safer childbirth for women.
The initiative was highlighted during a meeting between Traditional Birth Attendants and the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, held at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka on June 25.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Obidike explained that the government is not seeking to stop TBAs from carrying out their work but rather to improve cooperation between them and healthcare facilities to achieve better health outcomes for mothers and children.
He said that the meeting was convened to identify, register, and document qualified Traditional Birth Attendants who meet the required standards to continue their practice. According to him, the partnership will improve patient referrals and ensure that women and children receive timely medical attention whenever complications arise.
The commissioner noted that the programme forms part of the state’s broader strategy to provide training and retraining for TBAs, strengthen regulation, and offer supportive supervision. He added that the government remains committed to building a stronger and more productive relationship with traditional birth attendants across Anambra State.
Dr. Obidike further explained that the collaboration would establish a system where TBAs work closely with hospitals and healthcare professionals, ensuring that pregnant women receive appropriate care and are promptly referred whenever specialized medical attention is needed.
He added that the exercise would enable the government to compile data on Traditional Birth Attendants across the state in order to monitor their activities and ensure compliance with established healthcare standards.
According to the commissioner, a good Traditional Birth Attendant is one who recognizes situations that require advanced medical care and quickly refers such patients to a healthcare facility. He stressed that timely referrals remain one of the most effective ways to prevent maternal and infant deaths.
Dr. Obidike also said that the government is working to ensure that every Traditional Birth Attendant is linked to a specific Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) or hospital to facilitate prompt referrals during pregnancy, delivery, or after childbirth.
He emphasized that the government is not out to punish or discourage TBAs but to support them in operating according to approved healthcare standards.
Also speaking, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, described the meeting as an important step toward bringing all stakeholders together to improve healthcare delivery in the state. He said everyone has a role to play in protecting the lives of mothers and children and stressed that no woman should die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Dr. Chukwulobelu revealed that Anambra State currently has 407 registered Traditional Birth Attendants, but only 98 have renewed their registrations. He explained that reports of maternal and newborn deaths linked to some unregulated facilities prompted the government to engage practitioners and encourage compliance with existing regulations.
He further said that some Traditional Birth Attendants are retired nurses and midwives and urged all qualified operators who have not renewed their registration to visit the Department of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health for proper documentation, adding that the government is working to ensure that all registered facilities operate under proper supervision, with the overall goal of improving service delivery, ensuring accountability, and ending preventable maternal deaths in Anambra State.
Also speaking, the State Immunization Officer for Primary Health Care, Dr. Edith Onwuka, highlighted the important role Traditional Birth Attendants play in childbirth, especially at the community level. She noted that many pregnant women still rely on TBAs for care and support during pregnancy and delivery.
Dr. Onwuka emphasized the need for continuous training of Traditional Birth Attendants to improve their knowledge and skills, explaining that regular training would help them identify danger signs early, make timely referrals, and contribute more effectively to efforts aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths in the state.
Some Traditional Birth Attendants who attended the meeting commended the Anambra State Government for what they described as a timely and important intervention. They thanked the government for the clarion call to strengthen collaboration between TBAs and healthcare facilities across the state.
Also present at the meeting were the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr JohnPaul Onyekineso, Dr. Chisom Nri-Ezedi; the Director of Programmes, ImmuReg; and the Executive Programme Officer, ImmuReg, Nzekwe Ogechi Sylvia.
The practitioners pledged to give their best in caring for pregnant women and assured the government of their willingness to participate in training programmes, comply with established regulations, and support efforts aimed at ensuring safer motherhood and healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns in Anambra State.
Stanley Nwako is of the Ministry of Health, Anambra State
