The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organised a training programme for traditional birth attendants in Abia State to strengthen their capacity in promoting safe pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care across rural communities.

Speaking during the workshop in Umuahia, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said traditional birth attendants remain vital community caregivers, especially in areas where access to formal healthcare services is limited.

Represented by Mrs. Dare Olokor Kwame, Ogbuku explained that the training was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills on safe pregnancy management, childbirth, postpartum care and financial planning for expectant mothers.

The workshop brought together more than 150 traditional birth attendants from the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District.

Participants received training on evidence-based maternal care practices, cultural sensitivity, collaboration with healthcare professionals and improved approaches to maternal and newborn healthcare.

Other areas covered during the programme included safe delivery techniques, maternal health education, newborn care and the early identification of pregnancy-related complications.

Ogbuku stressed that the initiative was not intended to discourage the work of traditional birth attendants but to improve the quality and safety of the services they provide.

"We are not against traditional birth attendants; we are here to strengthen them. We have educated them to practise only in clean environments and avoid harmful practices.

"They save lives where there are no doctors. Even doctors are not against them because many people were delivered by traditional birth attendants. Today, they have been trained to become role models who can train and retrain others working under them," he said.

One of the resource persons, Dr. Jude Okpani, observed that many women in rural communities still rely on traditional birth attendants because of limited access to healthcare facilities.

He noted that positive pregnancy outcomes largely depend on proper knowledge, regular antenatal care and adherence to safe delivery practices.

Okpani also encouraged pregnant women to make adequate financial preparations ahead of childbirth, explaining that concerns over hospital bills often discourage some expectant mothers from seeking professional medical care.

The training featured practical and interactive sessions where participants were taught how to monitor the health of mothers and newborns, promote good nutrition and hygiene, recognise danger signs during pregnancy and prepare expectant mothers physically and mentally for delivery.

They also received instruction on choosing safe delivery locations, assembling essential delivery materials, arranging emergency transportation, setting aside emergency funds, maintaining proper hand hygiene, sterilising equipment, disposing of medical waste safely and using essential supplies such as gloves, antiseptics and clean clothing during childbirth.