Traditional Birth Attendants will henceforth be trained, supervised, and certified to ensure safe at best practices in Akwa Ibom State primary healthcare system.
Governor Umo Eno made the declaration while addressing the practitioners at their 2025 State Convention held at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
The State Ministry of Health is to undertake the training of practitioners to certify them as community healthcare workers.
The role of Traditional Birth Attendants came to fore given their role in caring for pregnant women necessitating the directive that upon acquiring the skills, they should be upgraded and incorporated into the primary healthcare system of the State.
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The governor is optimistic that the profile of the TBAs and their wealth of experience as providers of essential services will be further enhanced to aid healthcare delivery in the State and will align their practice with current medical advancements and standards.
Eno said: “As society evolves, and old approaches get subjected to modern and advanced methods to ensure wholesome and holistic outcomes, I wish to implore and advise you also, if I may add, reinvent your methods of carrying out your duties.
“We are willing to partner with you to train, supervise, and certify your members so that the services you provide are aligned with contemporary methods, thus making it more acceptable to the larger society.”
Expressing gratitude for the confidence and trust the group exhibited by supporting his emergence in the 2023 elections, as well as their endorsement for him to go for second term, Governor Eno reaffirmed his commitment to making them a critical component of his ARISE Agenda by touching lives and ensuring a healthy and productive population through investment in the healthcare sector.
He said: “You rallied your members and convinced them to believe in our mission and today, because you trusted us and believed in us, we are doing our best across all sectors and in line with our ARISE Agenda to touch lives, expand growth and ensure a healthy and productive population through our investments in the healthcare sector.
“We are doing a lot in healthcare service.
“Soon, we will flag-off our Mother-Child Hospital to be located along our Medical Corridor.
“We are building more primary healthcare facilities across the 10 federal constituencies.
“Once the training is concluded, you will be assigned to these primary healthcare facilities where your skills gained traditionally will align with the training you have received and we will all be winners.”
The President, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Birth Attendants, Comrade Otobong George, in his welcome remarks, thanked the governor for identifying with them and showing interest in bringing innovation to their profession.
Comrade George, who further emphasised the importance of TBAs in the provision of immediate care in the case of inaccessibility to medical facilities, called on the government to support the institution’s drive to better the practice by making relevant laws that would regulate activities of practitioners and ensure adequate control.
The president, alongside the entire members, who were delighted at the development strides of the Governor, especially in the health sector, unanimously declared their support for Governor Eno to go for a second term in 2027.
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