Traditional birth attendants return

residential adviser on safe motherhood Dorothy Ngoma says she is concerned to note that traditional birth attendants are resurfacing.

She expressed the concern during a consultative meeting with traditional leaders on the formulation of traditional leaders’ policy, saying this can affect the fight against maternal deaths in the country.

Ngoma said the country’s maternal-related deaths rate is high and called for concerted efforts by stakeholders, including traditional leaders to address the situation.

She said: “Traditional leaders command respect from their subjects. In the past, they managed to play a critical role by ensuring that expectant women attended antenatal clinic and delivered at health facilities.

“It is worrisome to note that traditional birth attendants are resurfacing in some areas of the country. This has to be checked, otherwise we will continue losing women to maternal-related deaths.”

Ngoma said the country’s maternal death rate is at 439 out of 100 000 births, translating to an average of eight to 10 deaths per day.

She said no woman should lose life due to pregnancy, adding that the situation can only be addressed if traditional leaders sensitise couples to the dangers of home deliveries.

Ngoma also said some expectant women have been shunning antenatal clinics due to misconceptions surrounding Covid-19 and advised traditional leaders to dispel misconception, surrounding the pandemic.

Senior Chief Jalavikuba pledged traditional leaders’ commitment in promoting safemotherhood by enforcing by-laws which are already in place in some areas.

He also called on government to find ways of mitigating maternal  deaths.