Bauchi stakeholders urge early antenatal care, warn against rumours
By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on communities to shun rumours surrounding Antenatal Care (ANC) and encourage pregnant women to seek early medical attention, particularly during their first trimester.
The call was made on Saturday during the Community Advisory Board (CAB) quarterly meeting of the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) of the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
The meeting’s theme was: “Encouraging Pregnant Women to Attend Antenatal and Enrol on CHAMPS Pregnancy Surveillance During First Trimester and Manage Rumours Related to the Project.”
Dr. Mohammed Baba-Gidado, the District Head of Ganjuwa, stressed the need for continuous sensitisation of women on the importance of early ANC and enrollment in the CHAMPS program.
He urged communities to disregard unfounded rumours that discourage women from accessing these vital services.
Similarly, Dr. Jamilu Yaya, CHAMPS Lead for Community Engagement, highlighted the dangers posed by rumours, including wasted resources, mistrust, stigmatization, and policy setbacks.
He outlined strategies for combating misinformation, such as transparency in communication, fact-checking, media literacy, and active involvement of community leaders.
Dr. Lamara Dattijo, Co-Principal Investigator for CHAMPS, represented by Dr Abubakar Umar emphasised the project’s mission to better understand the causes of child mortality and prevent avoidable deaths.
He commended community leaders for their role in supporting the project and reaffirmed CHAMPS’ commitment to transparency, respect, and collaboration.
He added that community engagement remains at the heart of the project’s operations, stressing that feedback and cultural insights from stakeholders are essential for its success.
The meeting brought together traditional leaders, health experts, and community representatives committed to improving maternal and child health in the State.
