Kelvin Ezor|18 July 2017
Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade has condemned in strong terms the death of two mothers during point of delivery at home of unskilled birth attendants in Ikom.
"It is very sad that despite our effort, warnings and awareness creation on dangers of prayer house and Traditional unskilled birth attendants taking delivery women still put their lives at risk to patronize this places. Some women have been clearly brain washed into believing the will die if the go to health centers.
"I can imagine the pain those families are going through now, older siblings left without a mother to face live. This is completely unacceptable and must be fought by all stakeholders involved society. TBAs must restrict their roles to referrals of every pregnant woman in their community to health centers or hospitals where care is free. The should never manage complicated cases like in the index situation. This Ikom incidence clearly goes against the Government policy on Maternal health.
This devilish act must not repeat again, our traditional rulers should join hands with Government to ensure their protégé is well informed about the use of health center for delivery against churches or prayer houses and by doing so Cross River State will witness decrease in maternal and infant mortality said Her Excellency.
Also Speaking, Dr Betta Edu noted that just some few days back the State Ministry of Health, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Agency with the support of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other development partners held a meeting with the TBAs in the state reaffirming the stand of State Government on the role of TBAs in ending Maternal Mortality in the State. This guideline clearly state referral roles expected by all TBAs.
She said the perpetrators of this act will be brought to book and disciplined accordingly as the State cannot afford to be losing mothers and children to irresponsible attitude and functioning of unskilled birth attendants in prayer houses and TBAs.
She said the case will be reported to the Police for further investigation and appropriate actions within the norms of the law will be taken.
Meanwhile the two women, Violet Mbala Ekpe and Helen Isieg reportedly died in the hands of prophetess by name Eka Maria in Ikom after completing antenatal care in PHC Nkarasi, Abanyom Ward of Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State.
Remember, the Wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade during the flag off of the First Round Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in Odukpani LGA urge women to disregard prayer houses and churches during delivery but should instead make use of health facilities or hospital closer to them.
Kelvin Ezor
Writes from Calabar
