By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has integrated Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) into its maternal and newborn healthcare framework with the launch of a new TBA Policy and Guidelines and a Social and Behaviour Change Strategy for Nutrition Across the Life Course.
The two policy documents were launched in Kaduna on Tuesday as part of efforts to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, regulate the activities of TBAs and promote improved nutrition across different stages of life.
The event attracted government officials, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, community representatives and other stakeholders in the health sector.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, who represented Governor Uba Sani, said the new TBA policy recognises the important role traditional birth attendants continue to play in communities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
She said the policy would ensure that TBAs operate within a regulated framework, receive appropriate supervision and maintain stronger links with the formal healthcare system.
“TBAs continue to be the first point of contact for many pregnant women, especially in hard-to-reach areas. This policy does not replace skilled care. It offers a clear framework for regulating TBA activities, defining their roles, strengthening referral pathways, and linking them to PHCs and hospitals,” Ahmed said.
According to her, the guidelines would require TBAs to concentrate on early identification of pregnant women, basic support, recognition of pregnancy and childbirth danger signs, and prompt referral to skilled birth attendants and health facilities.
Ahmed said the policy was designed to ensure that distance, cost and cultural barriers do not prevent women from accessing appropriate maternal healthcare.
She added that the state government was intensifying efforts to ensure pregnant women are identified early, linked to quality antenatal services and encouraged to deliver under the care of skilled health professionals.
Kaduna Launches Nutrition Strategy
The Commissioner also said the newly launched Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change Strategy would address key nutrition issues, including maternal nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, adolescent nutrition and healthy practices throughout the life course.
Ahmed, however, stressed that the success of both initiatives would depend on effective implementation, urging relevant stakeholders to translate the policy documents into practical actions.
“I sincerely hope these documents won’t just sit on shelves. They must become practical tools guiding our daily work and enhancing health outcomes for the people of Kaduna State,” she said.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Chief, Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Gerida Birukila, said behavioural change was critical to tackling malnutrition and preventable maternal and child deaths.
Birukila highlighted the influence of traditional and religious leaders in shaping family and community health practices, urging them to promote exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate nutrition, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
“We are counting on you to reach every mother and parent with the right information,” she said.
The UNICEF official noted that access to food alone does not guarantee adequate nutrition, explaining that inappropriate feeding practices could contribute to malnutrition even in households with sufficient food resources.
On the integration of TBAs, Birukila acknowledged their continued relevance in communities and urged them to operate within clearly defined limits.
She advised TBAs to identify danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth and ensure that women are promptly referred to appropriate health facilities.
“They must recognise danger signs and refer pregnant women promptly to health facilities. This collaboration between TBAs and the formal health system can save lives,” she said.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that integrating TBAs as community health partners, rather than excluding them from the healthcare system, could strengthen trust and encourage greater utilisation of maternal and child health services.
The Kaduna State Government said the launch of the two policy documents marks a significant step towards strengthening community-level healthcare and expanding nutrition interventions for women, children and adolescents across the state.
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