Maternal deaths: Bauchi Assembly moves to prohibit home birth, unregulated blood transfusions

The Bauchi State House of Assembly is set to pass a law prohibiting unsafe childbirth practices, pregnancy-related emergencies handled outside approved health facilities, and unregulated blood transfusions as part of efforts to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the state.

The proposed legislation, titled Bill for the Prohibition of Unsafe Childbirth Practices and Unregulated Blood Transfusions in Unregistered Health Institutions in Bauchi State, seeks to outlaw home deliveries and childbirth conducted by unskilled persons.

It also mandates that every delivery take place in a registered health facility under the supervision of skilled birth attendants.

If passed into law, the bill will criminalise actions that endanger pregnant women, including attempts by husbands, relatives or community leaders to prevent women from accessing hospitals during pregnancy-related emergencies. It also prescribes penalties for offenders.

The bill further regulates blood transfusions by prohibiting the practice outside licensed health facilities. It also provides legal backing for emergency medical interventions to save the life of a pregnant woman, including in cases arising from rape or incest, while guaranteeing counselling services and confidentiality for survivors.

As part of the legislative process, the Assembly on Saturday held a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on the proposed legislation. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, and supported by AmplifyChange.

Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said the proposed law was designed to replace risky childbirth practices with safer, regulated healthcare.

He noted that many women in the state continue to die from unsafe deliveries, delayed access to emergency care and unsafe blood transfusions.

“This Bill replaces risk with responsibility. Too many women in Bauchi die from unsafe delivery, delayed emergency care, and unsafe blood.

“By enforcing hospital-based births, protecting doctors who act to save lives, and shutting down illegal clinics, we move from mourning mothers to protecting them.

“Passing this law tells every woman in Bauchi that her life is not a gamble — it is guaranteed by law. The 10th Assembly has a duty to turn safe motherhood from a hope into a right,” the Speaker said.

Mr Sulaiman lamented that many expectant mothers in both urban and rural communities still seek delivery services from facilities operating outside approved regulatory standards.

According to him, some women continue to rely on unqualified birth attendants or patronise centres lacking qualified personnel, essential equipment, proper hygiene standards, emergency referral systems and professional supervision.

“While many of these practices may be driven by poverty, ignorance, cultural beliefs or limited access to quality healthcare, the consequences are often tragic.

“Maternal deaths, newborn complications, preventable infections, prolonged labour, permanent disabilities and avoidable loss of lives continue to occur under circumstances that could have been prevented through proper regulation and adherence to acceptable medical standards,” he said.

The Speaker said the workshop would enable lawmakers to critically examine every provision of the bill, identify gaps, receive expert input and ensure that the final legislation is practical, enforceable and serves the best interest of Bauchi residents.

“This workshop is not merely another legislative engagement. It is a strategic platform for learning, consultation, dialogue and collaboration,” he added.

Mr Sulaiman disclosed that the bill had already passed first, second and third readings and would proceed to a public hearing within the next two weeks before its final passage.

He urged lawmakers to make meaningful contributions throughout the legislative process to ensure the law effectively addresses maternal health challenges in the state.

In her remarks, the Executive Chairman of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, commended the Bauchi Assembly for prioritising maternal health, describing the proposed legislation as timely given Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate.

She expressed confidence that the bill would significantly reduce maternal deaths in the state by curbing unsafe childbirth practices and the activities of unregulated traditional birth attendants.

Mrs Akiyode-Afolabi also praised the inclusion of provisions protecting survivors of rape and incest, saying they demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls.

“The fact that the bill also considers people whose lives have been affected by incest and those who have suffered stigma because they were born out of wedlock shows that the House has the interest of women at heart.

“That is why we are celebrating them as the number one ‘He for She’ House of Assembly in Nigeria. I dare say there has been no other House of Assembly in Nigeria in the last eight years that has been as consistent as the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” she said.

She further commended the Assembly for enacting laws aimed at protecting women and girls from violence, abuse and other forms of discrimination.