Shocking! Nigerian Midwives use torchlight, candles to birth babies (photo)
– Health experts have lamented the poor attention given to maternal and child care in Nigeria
– Nigeria has the second largest morbidity rate in the world
– About 830 women die daily from pregnancy or childbirth related complications most of which are from sub-saharan Africa
Speaking at an event to commemorate the 2016 international day of midwives in Abuja on Wednesday, May 4, Mrs Margret Olubunmi Akinsola, the president, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) said about 830 women die daily from pregnancy or childbirth related complications.
Some young midwives at the event
Mrs Akinsola who recalled her years of practice said; “Midwives in rural areas use candles and torchlight to birth babies.”
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She noted that that the NANNM is championing advocacy and campaign focused on automatic absorption of new graduates from schools of midwifery both at basic and post basic levels.
The NANNM boss stated that the association would maintain training for community midwives and give renewable contract appointments to retired midwives who still want to practice.
Earlier during her presentation, Efunbo Dosekun, the medical director of Outreach Hospitals said Nigeria has the second highest maternal morbidity rate in the world with no statistics on disability occurring as a result of neonatal, illness, maternal and childhood illness.
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Stephen Sobhani, the Chief Executive Officer of Wellbeing Foundation Africa noted the important roles which midwives play in the society and called on government to create an enabling environment to ensure the smooth practice of the profession.
The Global Midwifery Conference, which runs from May 4 – 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife, is being hosted by the NANNM, United Nations Populations Fund and Toyin Saraki’s Wellbeing Foundation Africa.
The theme of this year’s event is Every Birth Counts.
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