Hasan Shuaibu, the focal person for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics Healthcare (CEOC) and Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in Bauchi State, said 377 mothers benefitted from the federal government’s free caesarean section (CS) in four months.

Mr Shuaibu said this in an interview in Bauchi on Monday, adding that the statistics were for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, recently announced free CS for pregnant women in all government hospitals in Nigeria.

The Bauchi focal person, therefore, said 154 health facilities have been earmarked to provide free Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEOC) and Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) surgeries, introduced by the federal government to reduce the burden of maternal mortality for mothers in 2024.

He added that the initiative was to prevent maternal death through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

Mr Shuaibu explained that “the CEOC is designed to provide care for women that include blood transfusions, severe infections, and a caesarean section, among others.

“A total of 337 mothers benefitted from the free caesarean section at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital from November 2024 to February 14, 2025.”

According to him, four hospitals are equally nominated to commence the programme across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Mr Shuaibu said, “Mothers can begin to access care at an early stage of pregnancy. The initiative will be extended to other health institutions across the three senatorial zones.

“The facilities include the Federal University of Science Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi Specialists Hospital, General Hospital, Toro, General Hospital Itas Gadau, and General Hospital, Misau.

“The facilities were selected based on high-burden areas on maternal deaths. Beneficiaries and their babies will also enjoy free care for any life-threatening diseases for six weeks from delivery date.”

The focal person also noted that beneficiaries will further be enrolled in the Bauchi State Health Contributory Agency to benefit from the Basic Healthier Provision Fund in 323 facilities in the state.

(NAN)