Senator Imasuen Trains Over 120 Birth Attendants in Edo South to Curb Maternal, Newborn Deaths

By Arit Mbeh

enator Neda Imasuen has intensified efforts to combat preventable maternal and newborn deaths with the completion of the second phase of training for more than 120 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Edo South Senatorial District.

The three-day training, which commenced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and ended on Friday, September 11, in Benin City, was organised in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The programme, themed “Strengthening the Knowledge and Skills of Traditional Birth Attendants for Safer Motherhood and Newborn Care,” focused on equipping TBAs with practical skills in safe delivery, early pregnancy care, identification of danger signs and prompt referral of complicated cases to approved healthcare facilities.

Representing Imasuen at the training, his Senior Legislative Aide, Dr Hassan Lumumba Okundia, said the initiative was aimed at bridging the gap between TBAs and orthodox medical practitioners.

Okundia said the programme would not only improve the knowledge and skills of TBAs but also provide a platform for them to share experiences, acquire new knowledge and establish stronger networks across Edo South.

“The essence of this training is to bridge the gap between Traditional Birth Attendants and orthodox medical practitioners and improve their knowledge and skills to ensure safe motherhood and newborn care,” he said.

He stressed that one of the major objectives was to ensure that TBAs understood the limits of their roles and knew when a pregnant woman required immediate attention from qualified medical personnel.

The Executive Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Orobosa Christopher Eriamiantoe, commended Senator Imasuen for facilitating the training, describing it as timely and beneficial to communities across Edo South.

Eriamiantoe said maternal and newborn deaths remained a serious public health concern, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to skilled health professionals and emergency obstetric services could be limited.

He noted that childbirth should be a moment of joy rather than sorrow, while acknowledging the significant role TBAs continue to play in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

“Traditional Birth Attendants occupy an important position in many of our communities. You are often trusted by pregnant women and their families, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities. Because of this, your actions and decisions can significantly influence the safety and wellbeing of mothers and newborn babies,” he said.

“This is why training such as this is extremely important,” he added.

The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Coulson Osoikhia, urged the participants to make prompt referrals whenever they detected complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

Speaking on “Understanding Pregnancy: Normal Pregnancy, Danger Signs and High-Risk Pregnancy,” Osoikhia said early recognition of danger signs could determine whether a mother or child survived a medical emergency.

“You must recognise the points of danger signs that you need to refer the patient,” he told the participants, assuring them that the formal healthcare system was seeking collaboration rather than confrontation with TBAs.

“We are not here to scare you or relegate any of your members. We are here to strengthen you to ensure you do what is right, so that we don’t lose our patients in cold hands,” he said.

Osoikhia also disclosed that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo had introduced free healthcare for pregnant women, children below five years and adults above 65 years, urging TBAs to take advantage of the policy by directing expectant mothers to designated healthcare facilities.

Also speaking, Dr Gideon Iroaya, who delivered a lecture on “Nutrition During Pregnancy and Prevention of Anaemia,” stressed the importance of balanced diets and adequate intake of clean water during pregnancy.

The Reproductive Health Supervisor for Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Mrs Joy Ogiemwonyi, identified early antenatal booking, recognition of danger signs and prompt referral as critical responsibilities of TBAs.

She further urged them to maintain healthy working relationships with healthcare providers in their respective localities.

The Medical Officer of Health in Uhunmwode, Dr Osazee Ezomo, spoke on birth preparedness, including the need for pregnant women and their families to make adequate financial and logistical preparations for possible complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Participants at the training were drawn from Orhionmwon and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas.

One of them, Mrs Blessing Okoro, expressed appreciation to Senator Imasuen, saying the training had significantly enhanced her understanding of maternal healthcare and referral procedures.

“I want to thank the lawmaker for this invaluable training. I have learned a lot from this programme and will put the knowledge to good use,” she said.

The training ended with the presentation of certificates to the participants.

The second phase of the programme forms part of Imasuen’s broader intervention in maternal and child healthcare in Edo South, with emphasis on strengthening collaboration between Traditional Birth Attendants and the formal healthcare system to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.