Kemi Olatunde

The Ondo State government task force has announced plans to clamp down on fake practitioners of traditional, missionary, and faith-based birth services in 2025, The Hope has learnt.

The Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Alternative Medicine Board, Mrs Lucy Akerele, disclosed this during a one-day seminar and training session for traditional, missionary, and faith-based birth attendants in Akure on Thursday.

According to her, the government has implemented measures to prevent maternal and child mortality in the state.

She emphasised the importance of all practitioners registering with the Ondo State Alternative Medicine Board, stating, “You must have a registration certificate as evidence of your registration.”

Mrs Akerele explained that practitioners must operate within the framework of the law to ensure the continuity of their practice. She also underscored the need for every practitioner to undergo training under an experienced and certified birth attendant.

While encouraging practitioners to register their patients with government health facilities, she stressed the importance of maintaining and updating antenatal clinic attendance records for every visit.

She also called for unity among practitioners and assured them of the government’s support for those operating legally.

In her lecture, Mrs Folasade Elewa of the Family Planning Department, Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water to prevent infections in both mothers and babies. She advised practitioners to use surgical gloves when attending to patients.

Mrs Elewa also emphasised the need for proper cleaning of labour rooms and the sterilisation of delivery equipment.

She urged practitioners to refer patients to health facilities promptly when necessary and to prioritise both antenatal and postnatal care, including immunisation and family planning.

She further advised birth attendants to encourage the initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth and to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life.