The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, in collaboration with the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has trained over 50 journalists from various media organisations in the state. The one-day training programme focused on maternal and newborn reporting, with the aim of improving health reporting on issues affecting women and children in the state. The training took place at the Late Mohammed Abdullahi Conference Hall of the NUJ Bauchi Council Secretariat.
NUJ Chairman Umar Sa'idu expressed gratitude to UNICEF for supporting the initiative, highlighting the importance of capacity building for journalists. He noted that continuous training is essential for professionals to stay updated and disseminate effective information to the public. The chairman said the training aimed to enhance journalists' skills in reporting on health issues, particularly those affecting women and children.
Stakeholders in the Bauchi State health sector have expressed concern over rising cases of maternal mortality. The state is among the leading states in the country with the highest maternal deaths, according to statistics. A recent media dialogue in Bauchi highlighted the issue, with participants calling on the state House of Assembly to fulfill its pledge of coming up with legislation to prohibit child delivery at home.
Available figures from the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) show that only 31 per cent of women in Bauchi deliver in hospitals, leaving 69 per cent exposed to risky and unregulated childbirth practices at home. A Health Officer from the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Oluseyi Olosunde, highlighted the urgent need for reforms to reverse the state's maternal health status.
The Bauchi State House of Assembly's pledge to draft a bill prohibiting home delivery is a welcome development, but it's imperative that the Assembly acts swiftly to turn this pledge into reality. The alarming statistics on maternal mortality in Bauchi State are a stark reminder of the need for urgent reforms in the state's healthcare system. With only 31 per cent of women delivering in hospitals, the state's maternal health status is a ticking time bomb. The NUJ and UNICEF's training of journalists on maternal and newborn reporting is a crucial step towards improving health reporting in the state. However, it's the state government's responsibility to ensure that its healthcare facilities provide quality and efficient services to patients, particularly pregnant women and neonates.
