The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has intensified efforts to eliminate new HIV infections among children and improve maternal health outcomes through a sensitization programme for Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and Universal Safety Precautions.

 In a statement on Thursday, the training, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together Traditional Birth Attendants from across Lagos State to enhance their knowledge and capacity in HIV prevention, safe delivery practices, infection prevention and control, stigma reduction, and appropriate referral mechanisms for pregnant women living with HIV.

Declaring the programme open, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, highlighted the critical role Traditional Birth Attendants play in maternal and child healthcare, particularly at the grassroots level where they often serve as the first point of contact for pregnant women seeking care and guidance.

“You are not just birth attendants; you are trusted counsellors, community leaders, and protectors of life. The influence you have on the health decisions of women and families is significant, and we must continue to work together to ensure that every mother and child is protected from HIV,” she said.

 Animashaun explained that the sensitization programme was designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of HIV prevention, safe delivery practices, infection prevention and control measures, stigma reduction, and referral pathways that safeguard mothers, newborns, and healthcare providers.

“No woman should be denied care because she is HIV positive. HIV testing should form part of routine antenatal investigations, and where a pregnant woman tests positive, she should be promptly referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for comprehensive care and treatment,” she stated.

She further disclosed that participants were selected through a collaborative process involving the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board and community stakeholders to ensure broad representation and effective dissemination of knowledge across communities.

“We work closely with traditional structures at the grassroots level to identify participants, monitor knowledge transfer, and obtain feedback. This approach ensures that the impact of the programme extends beyond this training and reaches the communities that need it most,” she added.

Reaffirming the Lagos State Government’s commitment to ending HIV as a public health threat, Animashaun called for stronger collaboration between Traditional Birth Attendants and the formal healthcare system through timely referrals, adherence to universal safety precautions, and the dissemination of accurate health information.

“Through collaboration, early referrals, strict adherence to universal precautions, and accurate information sharing, we can significantly reduce new HIV infections among women and children while promoting safer delivery practices across our communities,” she said.

She however encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, ask questions, and apply the knowledge gained during the training to improve maternal and child health outcomes within their communities.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Adebambo Olushola, one of the facilitators, stressed the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct, and confidentiality in the discharge of duties by Traditional Birth Attendants. She urged participants to uphold clients’ privacy, particularly regarding HIV status, while encouraging pregnant women to access HIV testing, counselling, and treatment services.

One of the participants, Prince Mari Tajudeen, commended the Lagos State Government and LSACA for organizing the sensitization programme, describing it as timely, informative, and impactful.

“We have gained valuable knowledge that will improve the quality of care we provide to pregnant women and newborns. We are committed to applying these lessons in our daily practice to safeguard the health of mothers and children in our communities,” he said.

The sensitization programme forms part of LSACA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community-based HIV prevention interventions and ensure that every pregnant woman in Lagos has access to quality healthcare services that support the birth of healthy, HIV-free children.