The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Suleiman, has introduced a bill aimed at tackling the high rate of maternal and perinatal deaths in the state.
The proposed legislation, presented during Wednesday’s plenary, received unanimous support from lawmakers as it scaled second reading. It seeks to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices and unregulated blood transfusions.
Sponsored by the Speaker, who represents Ningi Constituency, the bill is designed to address life-threatening practices contributing to preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.
While leading the debate, Suleiman cited findings from the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance Review (MPDSR) conducted by the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board. According to the report, seven out of every ten births in the state occur at home without skilled medical supervision.
He further revealed that between July and December 2022, a total of 872 maternal and perinatal deaths were recorded across 123 health facilities, including 56 maternal and 816 neonatal deaths.
The Speaker noted that the situation has worsened in recent years, with rising mortality rates reported in key facilities such as Toro General Hospital and urban maternity centres.
He explained that the bill seeks to outlaw unregistered home deliveries and impose strict penalties to protect the lives of women and infants.
Suleiman also raised concerns over unsafe blood transfusion practices carried out in unlicensed facilities and private homes without proper screening or qualified personnel. He warned that such practices expose patients to serious complications and infections, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
According to him, the proposed law will: Prohibit blood transfusions outside registered health facilities, Empower authorities to seal illegal clinic, Enforce sanctions against offenders, Criminalize attempts by individuals, including family members, to prevent pregnant women from accessing proper medical care.
The Speaker commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery, stressing the need for legislative backing to close existing gaps.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir described the bill as timely, noting it would significantly reduce harmful traditional practices if passed into law.
Similarly, Hon. Nasiru Ahmed Ala attributed the prevalence of unsafe practices to poverty and ignorance, citing tragic incidents in his constituency involving unqualified practitioners and unsafe transfusions.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Jamilu Barade, expressed confidence that the bill would help address persistent birth-related mortality in the state.
Speaking to journalists after plenary, Suleiman reaffirmed that passing the bill into law is critical to safeguarding public health. He emphasized the need for strict implementation and enforcement by relevant authorities.
The bill is widely regarded as a landmark legislative effort that could significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes in Bauchi State.
Recall that journalists covering the health sector recently participated in a one-day training organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with support from UNICEF, focusing on the dangers of unsafe childbirth practices outside health facilities.
Stakeholders also reminded the Speaker of his earlier commitment, made during a 2026 workshop in Jos, Plateau State, to address the issue through legislative action.
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