The Almanar Women Association (AMWA), in collaboration with Faith and Cultural Champions, has organized a community sensitizatio...
The programme, brought together adolescent girls and young women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law to discuss critical issues surrounding Antenatal Care (ANC) and Facility Delivery (FD).
The initiative focused on strengthening communication between couples, encouraging joint decision-making on maternal health, and promoting men’s emotional, financial, and practical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period.
It also highlighted the importance of safe delivery in health facilities and proper aftercare, while educating mothers-in-law on modern maternal health practices.
Speaking at the event, the Project Officer, Hajiya Safiya Magaji Ishak, stressed the need for families to prioritize antenatal care and hospital delivery to reduce complications associated with childbirth.
She explained that poor decisions and lack of proper care during pregnancy often lead to serious health conditions, including Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), which is commonly caused by prolonged obstructed labour.
Hajiya Safiya noted that the session provided participants with detailed knowledge on the causes, prevention, and consequences of such complications, leading to increased awareness and understanding among community members.
She urged participants to embrace positive behavioural change and serve as advocates for safe motherhood practices within their communities.
Also speaking, a former Officer-in-Charge of the VVF Ward at Hajiya Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria, Hajiya Fatima Umar, highlighted the devastating physical and psychological effects of VVF on affected women.
She explained that the condition, which results in continuous leakage of urine, often leads to social stigma, emotional trauma, and, in some cases, marital separation.
However, she added that increased awareness has improved community support, with many husbands now accompanying their wives to seek treatment, which is provided free of charge at the facility.
Hajiya Fatima emphasized that VVF is preventable through regular antenatal care, timely access to skilled healthcare during delivery, and avoiding prolonged labour at home or reliance on unqualified birth attendants.
Participants at the programme actively engaged in discussions, asked questions, and expressed satisfaction with the knowledge gained, pledging to adopt safer maternal health practices and share the information with others.
The sensitization programme featured lectures, practical demonstrations, and interactive sessions aimed at promoting healthier families and reducing maternal health risks in the community.
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