In spite of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 which has scared patients away from medical facilities for fear of being suspected as possible cases, clients of Child Birth Spacing (CBS) in Bauchi LGA have continued to visit the health centres designated for the service.
In the facilities visited by members Bauchi Public Health Media Network, Tribune Online gathered that the clients numbering between 300 to 600 have been visiting every month not minding the COVID-19 pandemic to access the different methods of childbirth spacing
At the Bayan Fada Clinic and Yelwa Domiciliary Primary Health Care Centre within Bauchi metropolis, high turnout of clients accessing Child Birth Spacing, (CBS) services were recorded despite the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the facility, Adamu Umar, a 28-year father of four children of Bakaro area said that he was at the Unit with his wife to access some of the services because his wife recently gave birth to a set of twins and that there is the need to resume their CBS plan.
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According to Adamu Umar, “we do three years of spacing between births. The plan has really helped all of us as a nuclear family to enjoy healthy family status. My wife has enough time to recuperate from in-between births. Children are healthy too, because of the care and attention given to them”.
The young man who was visibly elated with the services being rendered at the Family Planning Unit of the PHC wondered how some married couples are missing out on such services testifying that “Here at the FP Unit, you find accommodating service providers in a friendly and clean environment, extending to clients all the courtesies. And to top it all, one does not have to pay anything. The services are completely free”.
Another client, Mallam Usman Hamidu also stated that “from day one of our marriage, we have imbibed the culture of Birth Spacing and I have been telling my relatives and friends of the benefits of birth spacing. Although some men are still sceptical about such practices, I think quite a number of them are now spacing their children. They have seen the benefits of CBS in the health status of their families”.
Also speaking the officer in charge of the PHC, Hajiya Hadiza Ahmad Maikudi said that the flow of clients seeking for CBS services has been very impressive saying that more attention should be focused on creating awareness especially to caregivers that are still nursing some reservations on CBS services.
On the turn out of clients assessing CBS services, the officer-in-charge said that “the average influx of clients is between 300 to 500 in a month. Though the Ramadan fasting period and the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected the flow of clients, I am confident that it will rise again in the coming weeks.
She added that “It is equally important to focus more attention on awareness creation to caregivers. Religious leaders have a key role to play in that direction. Our VCMs are doing their best in enlightening the women, but it amounts to nothing if we don’t get the buy-ins of caregivers”.
Our correspondent who was part of the network discovered that the assessment visits to the PHCs in Bauchi State was part of a work plan developed by the select group of journalists to keep monitoring and advocating on CBS and other public health issues associated with women and children in Bauchi State.
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