A Consultant Paediatrician at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Fatima Abdullahi, has emphasised the importance of postnatal care, hospital delivery, and childbirth spacing as critical measures for preventing life-threatening complications in both mothers and newborns.
Dr. Abdullahi made the call while delivering a lecture at an Adolescent Girls and Young Women Sensitisation Workshop on Postnatal Care and Childbirth Spacing, organised by the Faith and Cultural Champions Almanar Women Association at Annur Islamiyya Magajiya.
She explained that postnatal visits after delivery provide a vital opportunity for the early detection and proper management of health conditions that could endanger the lives of mothers and their babies if left unnoticed.
According to her, the lecture focused on identifying danger signs after childbirth, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, continued breastfeeding up to two years, and appropriate complementary feeding to promote healthy child growth and development.
Dr. Fatima cautioned against harmful cultural practices such as excessive hot-water bathing, misuse of traditional drinks like kunu, unsafe home remedies for treating jaundice, and the application of henna, noting that such practices often delay hospital presentation and result in severe health complications.
She further stressed the need to access childbirth spacing services through qualified health facilities and encouraged effective communication between women and their spouses to promote positive health-seeking behaviour.
The paediatrician highlighted the role of families, particularly husbands, parents, and grandmothers in supporting maternal and child health, adding that a healthy society begins with a healthy mother and a well-cared-for child.
Earlier, in her remarks the Ameerah AlManar Women Association, Hajiya Rabi Sodangi, said the sensitization workshop was aimed at enlightening adolescent girls and young mothers on the dangers associated with home delivery and the benefits of giving birth in hospitals.
She explained that complications such as excessive bleeding, dizziness, and fainting in mothers, as well as breathing difficulties and poor feeding in newborns, often go unnoticed.
Hajiya Sodangi noted that many adolescent girls and young mothers lack adequate knowledge of newborn care, which hospitals provide immediately after delivery, including proper breastfeeding techniques and early medical attention for babies with health challenges.
She added that mothers and community leaders were invited to the workshop to help spread the message within their communities and serve as ambassadors for safe motherhood and improved health practices.
The association further revealed that selected young mothers would undergo continuous training over the next five months on healthy living, maternal care, and child development, aimed at improving family well-being and community health.
In his remarks, a teacher at Annur Islamiyya, Malam Abdussalam Musa, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and capable of improving health-seeking behaviour among women and families in the community. He expressed hope that the knowledge gained would be applied to reduce preventable maternal and child health complications.
Cov: Ibrahim Suleiman
