February 19, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Government has commenced plans to train and certify over 4,000 Traditional Birth Attendants across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas as part of efforts to integrate them into the healthcare system.
Governor Umo Eno, who made this known during the TBA State Convention in Uyo, emphasised the need to upgrade traditional birth practices to align with modern healthcare standards.
Speaking on the convention’s theme, “Maternal Care and Personal Hygiene,” Eno directed the Ministry of Health to oversee the training, supervision, and certification of TBAs, recognizing their role in maternal and child healthcare.
“As society evolves, traditional methods must be upgraded to meet contemporary healthcare demands. We are willing to partner with you to train, certify, and supervise your activities so that your services become more acceptable to the larger society,” he said.
The governor further assured that upon completion of their training, the certified TBAs would be assigned to primary healthcare centers to complement existing medical personnel and ensure better maternal health outcomes.
Earlier, the President of the Akwa Ibom TBAs Association, Comrade Otobong George, commended the state government’s commitment to enhancing traditional birth practices.
He emphasised the crucial role of TBAs, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare facilities is limited.
He also urged the government to introduce laws that would regulate TBA activities and ensure better oversight.
“We are ready to collaborate with family planning experts to sensitize women on reproductive health, particularly on family planning methods that promote maternal health and reduce infant mortality,” he said.
George added that the TBAs would be trained on various family planning methods and essential tests to help women make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
“We recognize that many parents wish to space their children or maintain a specific family size, but due to lack of awareness, they end up with unplanned pregnancies, which can be detrimental to their health.
“With this passive training, TBAs will be better equipped to provide basic information on family planning and guide their patients accordingly,” he stated.
