The Akwa Ibom State Government has indicated readiness to partner Traditional Birth Attendants-TBAs in the State, to train, supervise, certify practitioners to bring them up to speed with contemporay practices in primary healthcare and earn the acceptability of the larger society.
The State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, gave the indication while addressing the 2025 State Convention of Traditional Birth Attendants, held at Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo, as he issued an express directive to the Ministry of Health, to undertake the training of practitioners to certify them as community healthcare workers.
He acknowledged the role of Traditional Birth Attendants as a part of the State’s social fabric, considering their role in caring for pregnant mothers and therefore directed that, upon acquiring the skills upgrade intended by the state government, they should be incorporated into the primary healthcare system of the State.
He therefore expressed optimism that with the training, the profile of the Traditional Birth Attendants and their wealth of experience as providers of essential services, will be further enhanced to aid healthcare delivery in the state and to align their practice with current medical advancements and standards .
Expressing gratitude for the confidence and trust the group exhibited in joining to mop up support towards his emergence in the 2023 elections, Governor Eno reaffirmed his commitment to making them a critical component of his ARISE Agenda of touching lives and ensuring a healthy and productive population through investments in healthcare sector.
Earlier, 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 to bring innovations to better their mediating role in caregiving.
Government house correspondent Jane Uwa reports that Comrade George who further emphasized 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.