Shiphrah and Puah Agbebiye of Nigeria Inc. Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Style
Shiphrah and Puah Agbebiye of Nigeria marked its first anniversary with a celebration lauded for its achievements in reducing maternal mortality and promoting safe childbirth practices across the region.
The traditional birth attendants’ organization, which has expanded to states including Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, and Kwara, celebrated the anniversary in Akure on 7th December 2024.
The organization’s President, Rev. Mother Yemisi Adesanmi, expressed gratitude and pride in the milestone, highlighting the group’s success in preventing maternal deaths since its inception.
“Our mission is to prevent maternal mortality and assist women during childbirth. We have recorded countless successful births, and we have yet to witness any maternal deaths since we started,” she said.
Adesanmi attributed their success to regular meetings, training programs in partnership with healthcare professionals, and their commitment to promptly referring complex cases to hospitals.
She encouraged members to maintain their diligence, advising them to refer women to hospitals if labor lasts more than eight hours and to prioritize the health of their patients over financial gains.
Adesanmi emphasized the importance of antenatal clinic visits, immunization, and comprehensive testing for pregnant women, urging all traditional birth attendants to act responsibly and prioritize human life.
The organization’s Patron, Primate Dr. Ade Ademisokun-Turton Onibode, commended the group for its efforts in preserving and enhancing traditional childbirth methods.
He expressed hope for greater collaboration with the government in the coming years, stating that traditional birth attendants have been a vital part of history and their role should not be overlooked.
Onibode further advised members to prioritize their noble calling, urging them to resist the temptation of placing monetary gains above their humanitarian mission.
The organization’s Matron, Yeyeoge Funmilola Oluwadare, praised the group’s adherence to referring pregnant women to hospitals, which she noted had significantly reduced maternal mortality in Ondo State.
“Their compliance with referral practices is commendable and shows their dedication to saving lives,” she said, urging members to continue prioritizing the health of pregnant women by working closely with health facilities.
The Vice President of Shiphrah and Puah Agbebiye of Nigeria, Prophetess Imisi Ayodele, celebrated the organization’s growth and unity, encouraging members to cooperate and remain steadfast in their mission.
Similarly, the Secretary, Prophetess Yemisi Owoyemi, stressed the importance of conducting necessary tests, such as PCV, blood group, genotype, hepatitis B, and scans, before attending to patients and called for strict adherence to referrals for cases beyond their expertise.
