By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
A woman who narrowly survived complications after delivering her baby at home in Dot Village, Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has become a leading advocate against unsafe home births.
Malama Atika Yau, Chairperson of the Mama2Mama Group in Dot District, recounted how she lost consciousness due to excessive bleeding after giving birth at home to one of her children.
The experience, she said, nearly cost her life due to unconsciousness because of heavy bleeding, described it as a painful lesson.
she described home delivery without skilled care as a dangerous practice that puts both mother and child at risk.
Determined to prevent other families from facing similar tragedies, Malama Atika pledged to campaign against home delivery and promote safer alternatives.
Malama Yau said, her resolve found direction when UNICEF introduced the Mama2Mama initiative in the area, with support from Global Affairs Canada.
The programme mobilizes women to advocate for improved maternal and child health practices, including hospital delivery under the supervision of trained health professionals.
As a group leader, Malama Atika now champions antenatal care attendance, facility-based delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, immunization, and child spacing.
She emphasizes that skilled health workers are better equipped to detect and manage complications such as prolonged labour, postpartum hemorrhage, and eclampsia.
According to her, the initiative has significantly improved the health-seeking behavior of pregnant women and nursing mothers in Dot District.
She said, more women now attend antenatal clinics regularly and choose to give birth in health facilities, contributing to a reduction in maternal mortality and child morbidity in the area.
Malama Atika expressed gratitude to the Canadian government, through UNICEF, for supporting lifesaving interventions in Bauchi State.
She also called on the government to sustain and expand the programme, noting that although Mama2Mama members serve voluntarily, their work has proven effective in changing negative health practices in both rural and urban communities.
She said, the initiative has changed her life and the lives of many women the area.
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