Bauchi Assembly proposes ban on unregulated blood transfusions

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has resolved to provide legislative backing to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices and blood transfusions conducted outside registered health facilities, as part of efforts to curb rising maternal and perinatal deaths in the state.

The resolution followed the presentation of a bill titled “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Unsafe Childbirth Practices and Blood Transfusions in Bauchi State and for Related Matters, 2026.”

The bill was presented during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Umaru Jamilu

Presenting the bill, the Speaker, Dr. Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, described the situation as alarming, citing recent statistics from the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board’s Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response MPDSR report covering July to December 2022.

According to him, the report revealed that between seven and ten births in the state occur at home without skilled attendants, thereby exposing mothers and newborns to serious health risks.

He added that a total of eight hundred and seventy two maternal and perinatal deaths were recorded across one hundred and twenty three health facilities within the period, including fifty six mothers and eight hundred and sixteen babies.

The Speaker further noted that the majority of the cases were reported in Toro, Ningi, and Azare Local Government Areas, underscoring the need for urgent intervention.

He explained that the proposed legislation seeks to reform maternal healthcare practices by banning unregulated home deliveries and introducing penalties to safeguard the lives of mothers and infants.

The bill also aims to protect women by making it an offence to conduct childbirth outside approved health facilities.

Describing the bill as a critical step toward addressing the high rate of maternal and perinatal mortality in the state, the Speaker urged lawmakers to support the passage.

Contributing to the debate, several lawmakers commended the Speaker for the timely initiative and expressed their readiness to ensure the bill receives swift and seamless passage in the interest of public health and safety.