Lagos Health District 1V engages traditional birth attendants on data management and referral system

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State health district IV yesterday engaged the traditional birth attendants within the district IV on data management and referral system.

Speaking at the event, the permanent secretary Lagos State health district IV Dr Abimbola Bowale said that the birth attendants should focus on enhancing safety through training which includes recognising danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth, and making timely referral to skilled providers for emergency. They can also provide culturally, sensitive, emotional and physical support during prenatal and postpartum care.

The director, medical services and disease control, Lagos State health district IV, Dr Sotunde Oludolapo, in her advice, she noted that the birth attendants should use their strong community relationships to help build trust between women and the formal healthcare system. They should formalize their role by becoming a key part of referral system to ensure pregnant women get to health facilities when needed, and integrating with formal health system to build trust and improve community health outcomes.

The guest speaker, Mr. Babatunde Okelarin took the birth attendants on the overview of the person who assist a mother during childbirth and who initially acquired her skills by delivering babies herself or through apprenticeship to other traditional birth attendants are professionals 

He equally said to be a birth attendant in Lagos State, you must be trained by a professional traditional birth attendant that acquire skills from traditional medicine board.

Mr. Babatunde Okelarin lay emphasis on Nigeria health system, health system in Lagos State, introduction to data tools, tools and their usage, tally sheets and their usage, client referral form, and their usage, how to monitor the activities of community based health workers, danger signs during pregnancy, referral system and indications for referral