RSG Decries Patronage Of TBAs, Spiritualists

The Rivers State Government has expressed displeasure over the patronage of Traditional Birth Attendants and spiritualists in the state.

The state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was speaking at the flag off of the first round of this year’s Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week Friday, at Ayama-headquaters of Abua, Abua/Odual Local Government Area (ABOLGA) stated that in spite of the over 100 primary health centres  scattered all over the state, women still preferred to visit local midwives whom he said had little or on  training.

Governor Amaechi who spoke through the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Tamunoiyoriari Parker, used the opportunity no announce that  government would revive the general hospitals in the state to enhance the referral system in the state health policy and charged women to patronise the primary health centres, saying it would make referral easier, adding that the TBAs hardly could handle emergencies.

In pointing out the significance of the MNCH Week, chairman of the Rivers State Primary Health Management Board, Uriah Etawo said the health of the child was as important as that of the mother.

Dr Etawo stated that the MNCH Week was designed to cater for both the health of the newborn and the mother as well as women of child bearing age.

He said already, decline has been recorded in newborn, infant and maternal mortality in the state, which success he attributed to the efforts of the state government in combating health issues.

In his welcome address, chairman of ABOLGA, Udi Odom, who was represented  by the Supervisor for Works, Superintendent Adoki, commended the government for its efforts in the health sector and appealed for more primary health centres and a secondary healthcare centre in the area.

Tonye Nria-Dappa