Bauchi State House of Assembly, Committee on Health and Human Services, has organised a public hearing on a bill seeking to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices, improve the management of pregnancy emergencies and complications, as well as regulate blood transfusion services.
The Bill is being sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman.
The public hearing was held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC), Bauchi, under the theme: “Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare for All in Bauchi State,” bringing together Lawmakers, Government Officials, Traditional rulers and religious leaders, healthcare professionals, security agencies, civil society organisations and development partners.
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In his brief, the Speaker said the Bill was built around prevention, preparedness and protection, stressing that maternal deaths should not be regarded as inevitable.
He clarified that the legislation is not an attack on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) or healthcare workers, but seeks to define responsibilities, eliminate harmful practices and strengthen referral, emergency care and blood-transfusion systems.
The Speaker also stressed that effective implementation would require adequate funding, qualified personnel, functional referral systems, reliable blood banks, public enlightenment, monitoring and accountability, while commending Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for investments in the health sector.
The Chairman of the Health Committee, Hon. Dauda Lawal representing Sade, said the Bill would address gaps in emergency pregnancy management and blood transfusion.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, called for stronger institutional mechanisms to implement the law, while the Emir of Darazo, Alhaji Ibrahim Babayo Mohammed, urged its speedy passage, warning against childbirth handled by unqualified personnel.
The Police and Judiciary also supported the initiative. ACP Yahya Abdulkadir, representing the Commissioner of Police, commended the Assembly, while the representative of Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Rabi Talatu Umar stressed that the law must be clear, practical and enforceable.
The Assembly subsequently extended the deadline for public submissions to Monday, August 24, 2026.
Health experts raised concerns about unsafe blood transfusion, inadequate antenatal care and unregulated childbirth practices. Prof. Abdulkarim Garba Mairiga, CMD Specialist Hospital Bauchi, called for stronger protection of pregnant women and licensing of healthcare facilities.
Civil society organisations disclosed that only four of Bauchi’s 27 General Hospitals have active blood banks, urging the Assembly to address the gap as a priority.
Representing UNICEF, Dr. Oluseyi Olusunde called for improved reporting of maternal, newborn and child mortality, regulation of unregistered health facilities and compliance with minimum service standards.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, represented by Hayatu Faruk Alhaji, fully supported the Bill and disclosed that it has 26 female inmates across 14 custodial centres. It called for correctional facilities to be recognised as vulnerable settings under the law and included in emergency referrals, safe blood supplies, free maternal emergency care and relevant training.
The hearing concluded with a broad consensus that the proposed law could help reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths, provided it is backed by effective implementation, adequate resources, public education and strong institutional cooperation.
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