The speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, on Wednesday introduced a bill to curb unsafe childbirth practices and unregulated blood transfusions.

The bill, which scaled second reading during plenary in Bauchi, received unanimous support from lawmakers, signalling strong legislative backing for measures aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes statewide.

Mr Suleiman, representing Ningi constituency, said the proposed legislation targeted rising maternal and perinatal deaths linked to unsafe delivery practices, especially those occurring outside recognised healthcare facilities without skilled medical supervision.

Leading the debate, he cited findings from the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance Review by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, highlighting widespread home births without qualified healthcare providers present.

He said seven out of every ten births in the state occurred at home without skilled supervision, increasing risks of complications, infections, and preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.

Mr Suleiman disclosed that between July and December 2022, at least 872 maternal and perinatal deaths were recorded in 123 health facilities, including 56 maternal and 816 neonatal fatalities.

He said the situation had worsened in recent years, with increasing mortality rates reported in facilities including Toro General Hospital and several urban maternity centres across the state.

The speaker said the bill sought to prohibit unregistered home deliveries and impose penalties on offenders, aiming to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns through improved compliance with health regulations.

He also expressed concern over unsafe blood transfusions conducted in unlicensed facilities and private homes, often without proper screening processes, equipment, or qualified medical personnel to ensure patient safety.

Mr Suleiman warned that such practices exposed patients to severe health risks, including infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV, which could result in long-term complications or death.

He explained that the bill would prohibit blood transfusions outside registered facilities, empower authorities to shut down illegal clinics, and impose sanctions on individuals or organisations that violate established medical standards.

The proposed legislation also sought to protect pregnant women by criminalising attempts by individuals, including relatives, who prevented them from accessing appropriate and timely medical care when necessary.

(NAN)