Akwa Ibom to train, integrate 4,000 traditional birth attendants

Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to train 4000 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) as part of efforts to integrate them into the healthcare system.

Governor Umo Eno made the announcement during this year’s annual convention of the Association held in Uyo, the State capital.

TBAs are mostly found in rural communities where healthcare providers are not readily accessible and they provide care to pregnant women and assist them in childbirth.

Governor Eno said the training would enable them to be absorbed into the healthcare system of the State Government, adding that they would serve as Community Health Workers attached to Primary Health Care facilities across the State on completion of their training.

According to the governor, the TBAs will be certified after the training in line with best practices in the health sector, adding that their contributions to improving maternal healthcare have been huge and widely acknowledged.

“All members of the TBAs Association are to be trained and they will be certified and converted to Community Health Workers, absorbed into the Primary Healthcare Centres in the Local Government Areas,” he said .

The governor, who advised them to refer cases of prolonged labour to doctors in secondary healthcare facilities, also directed them to avail themselves of the State Government’s health insurance scheme to enable them to have access to healthcare at an affordable cost .

Warning that the State Government would not hesitate to withdraw their certificates if they violate the rules by attempting to handle complicated cases, the governor said anyone found culpable would be prosecuted .

He said the State would soon build a hospital for mothers and children within the medical corridor in the State capital.

Earlier, the president of the TBAs Association in the State, Otobong George highlighted the contributions of its 4000-strong member in healthcare delivery, adding that TBAs were also serving as peace ambassadors and advocates against Gender-Based Violence in the rural communities.

The TBAs convention provided an opportunity for a health talk on Family Planning services with the explanation on the benefits to the family, including the father, mother and the child.

The health talk emphasised the need for child birth spacing, maintaining that a period of two years should be observed after the last birth.

Experts believe the integration of the TBAs into the “Health Care System is a plus for Family Planning (FP) as it is rooted in its sustainability in the State and can be the future of addressing unplanned pregnancy.

The 2025 annual convention of the TBAs was attended by members from the 31 Local Government Councils of the State.