NDDC Empowers Traditional Birth Attendants to Combat Maternal Mortality

In a bid to reduce the high rate of maternal and newborn deaths in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has embarked on a training programme for traditional birth attendants. The training, which took place in Delta and Bayelsa states, aimed at equipping the attendants with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe maternal and newborn care. According to the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the commission's Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the need for traditional birth attendants to combine their practices with orthodox medical care to improve health outcomes for mothers and children. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Principal Manager, Education, Health and Social Services, Mrs. Dare-Oloko Kuami, described the current rate of maternal and child deaths as unacceptable and called for increased awareness to address the issue. The NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Patience Ezugu, also encouraged women to take childbirth issues seriously and acquire the necessary knowledge to support mothers in their communities. Over 300 women from Delta and Bayelsa states participated in the programme, which included training on early detection of pregnancy-related complications and prompt referral of high-risk cases to health facilities. The participants also received medical equipment and cash support to enhance their work. One of the resource persons, Mrs. Gift Akitiri, highlighted the crucial role traditional birth attendants play in rural communities, stressing the need for continuous capacity building to ensure that mothers and newborns receive timely and appropriate care. A participant, Mrs. Franscica Odiakosa, commended the NDDC for organizing the training, saying it had improved her understanding of maternal healthcare and referral procedures. The workshop is part of the NDDC's efforts to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in the Niger Delta through improved collaboration between traditional birth attendants and the formal healthcare system.