The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has emphasised the importance of traditional birth attendants exercising caution during deliveries to minimise risks to mothers and newborns.

The senator made this statement at a three-day training session for traditional birth attendants from Ovia North East and Ovia South West Local Government Areas of Edo State, held in Benin City.

The training themed, “Training of Traditional Birth Attendants in Early Pregnancy Care and the Referral Mechanisms,”
organised at the instance of Imasuen, aimed to equip traditional birth attendants with critical skills for safe delivery practices.

The participants were urged to promptly refer patients to hospitals in cases of complications in order to save the lives of the baby and the mother. Imasuen noted that the training programme would be continuous and called on the Primary Health Care Development Agency to sustain such initiatives. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge in their practice.

Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, underscored the vital role of traditional birth attendants in rural areas and emphasised the need to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes through modern skills.

Oshiomhole said: “They are trusted members of their communities. Women and their families turn to you for support, guidance, and care during one of the most important periods of their lives. This trust makes you not just caregivers but also pillars of maternal health at the grassroots level.

“We are all aware that the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes exceed the resources available to TBAs. Complications such as severe bleeding, infections, and hypertension require swift and effective referral to more specialised healthcare services.

“This programme will equip you with the skills to provide pregnant women with accurate information about early pregnancy care, nutrition, danger signs, and the importance of regular antenatal visits.”