A/Ibom to Upskill traditional birth attendants
Uko Okon, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced plans to train, supervise, and certify traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to align them with contemporary practices in the primary healthcare system. This move aims to enhance and incorporate their skills into the state’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the 2025 State Convention of Traditional Birth Attendants in Uyo, Governor Eno acknowledged the crucial role TBAs play in caring for pregnant women, particularly in rural areas where access to medical facilities is limited.
He issued a directive to the Ministry of Health to train practitioners to certify them as community healthcare workers.
The Governor directed that upon acquiring the skills, the traditional birth attendants should be upgraded and incorporated into the primary healthcare system of the State.
He expressed optimism that with training, 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.
“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 that 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 service you provide is aligned with contemporary methods, thus making it more acceptable to the larger society.”
Eno expressed gratitude for the confidence and trust the group exhibited in supporting his emergence in the 2023 elections and their endorsement of his running for a second term.
He 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.
“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 ten federal constituencies. Once the trainings are concluded, you will be assigned to these primary healthcare facilities where your skills garnered traditionally will align with trainings you have received and we will all be winners.”
In his welcome remarks, the president of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Birth Attendants, Comrade Otobong George, thanked the Governor for identifying with them and showing interest in bringing innovation to their profession.
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, along with the members, who were delighted at the governor’s development strides, especially in the health sector, unanimously declared their support for Governor Umo Eno’s bid for a second term in 2027.
