Home births are on the rise in Benue State, not because they are safer, but because public health facilities are broken beyond trust. Pregnant women are turning to unsafe havens of giving birth at home and even patronizing traditional birth attendance (TBA). By: David Arome For 22-year-old Martha Agur, living in the Ageraga – kohol community, Kwande LGA, Benue State, giving birth at a government-owned health facility was never an option to accept. The closest health clinic to her is a distance away with no functional delivery equipment, no midwives and no power supply. Martha recalled her ordeal at the health clinic she once visited: “I have been there; the health worker told me they had no gloves, medicines or even delivery beds.” Her husband, Agur, a subsistence farmer, had once sold off their only goat to pay for Martha’s antenatal visit to the town. But could no longer afford […]
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