The Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Hon. Sesan Olowa, has called on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to promptly refer pregnant women whose conditions are beyond their professional scope to appropriate healthcare facilities.
Epe Insights reports that Olowa made the call while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on maternal and newborn health, where he stressed the importance of collaboration between TBAs and healthcare workers.
The council chairman expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its continued support for TBAs across the state.
He said the support was important in strengthening the capacity of TBAs and ensuring quality service delivery within communities.
Olowa acknowledged the role TBAs continue to play in providing maternal healthcare services, particularly at the grassroots level.
He urged them to remain conscious of the limits of their practice when attending to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
According to him, cases requiring medical attention should be referred without delay to healthcare facilities equipped to handle complications.
The council chairman stressed that timely referrals could help prevent avoidable complications and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.
He urged TBAs to always put the safety of mothers and children first when providing their services.
Olowa also charged them to do their utmost to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality within Ibeju-Lekki and other Lagos communities.
He said protecting the lives of mothers and babies should remain a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
The council chairman further called for stronger cooperation between TBAs and trained healthcare professionals.
He noted that effective collaboration would help create a more efficient referral system for pregnant women experiencing complications.
Olowa encouraged TBAs to maintain open communication with healthcare workers after referring patients.
He said such communication would help healthcare professionals understand the circumstances surrounding referrals and provide appropriate care.
The chairman also urged health workers to receive referred patients properly and treat referrals from TBAs with the seriousness they deserve.
He emphasised the need for mutual respect and cooperation between both groups.
According to Olowa, healthcare workers and TBAs have complementary roles to play in protecting maternal and newborn health.
He said effective communication between them could reduce delays in accessing appropriate medical attention.
The council chairman expressed optimism that improved collaboration would help prevent avoidable maternal and newborn deaths in Lagos communities.
He noted that early intervention remains critical when pregnant women develop complications.
Olowa therefore encouraged TBAs to recognise warning signs and seek professional assistance whenever necessary.
He said no woman should be denied access to appropriate medical care because of delays in referral.
The chairman also called for continued government support for community-based maternal health initiatives.
He said strengthening the relationship between government health institutions and TBAs would contribute to better healthcare delivery.
Olowa noted that TBAs occupy an important position within many communities because of their accessibility and relationship with residents.
He urged them to use the trust placed in them responsibly by directing patients to healthcare facilities whenever specialised attention is required.
The council chairman said the objective should be to complement the formal healthcare system rather than operate separately from it.
He also encouraged TBAs to continue improving their knowledge and skills through available training and government-supported programmes.
According to him, continuous learning would enable them to identify potential risks earlier and make better decisions concerning referrals.
Olowa reiterated that maternal and child health requires collective action.
He called on community leaders, healthcare workers, TBAs and government agencies to work together toward safer pregnancy and childbirth.
The chairman said Ibeju-Lekki Local Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of residents.
He also expressed appreciation to stakeholders contributing to healthcare development within the local government area.
The engagement provided an opportunity to reinforce the need for responsible maternal healthcare practices at the community level.
It also highlighted the importance of ensuring that women receive timely and appropriate care throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
Olowa urged TBAs to see referrals as an important part of responsible healthcare practice rather than as a failure to provide care.
He stressed that recognising when a case requires specialised attention can save lives.
The chairman further encouraged health workers to maintain respectful relationships with TBAs to ensure that referrals are handled efficiently.
He said better cooperation would strengthen confidence in the referral process.
Olowa expressed confidence that the combined efforts of TBAs and healthcare professionals would improve maternal and newborn outcomes.
He said the ultimate goal should be to ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn receives the care required at the right time.
The council chairman concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives that protect mothers and children.
He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the shared objective of reducing maternal and child mortality.
Olowa said stronger collaboration, timely referrals and effective communication would remain essential to achieving safer maternal healthcare outcomes.
