By Ahmed Ahmed
The Community Based Organization (CBO) and Community representatives in Bauchi State have urged the government to employ more women health workers in the health facilities to improve health care delivery across the state.
They made the call at the closing ceremony of two day training for 10 Community representatives and CBOs from Giade, Bauchi Alkaleri and Katagum LGAs of the state on women constitutional rights in Nigeria for women and male advocates on Saturday in Bauchi.
Mrs Khadija Mohammed, programme officer, with Kairi Women and Youth Upliftment for Development Association (KWAYUDA) In Katagum said there is a need to bridge the gap of women health workers in health facilities.
“The health facilities need women health workers to provide the women clients with the needed health care service.
“Some of the women don’t feel at ease being attended to male Health workers, not only that some of the health facilities don’t have women health workers.
“We need more nurses and midwives in the facilities to support women clients and provide them with health care services,” he said.
Mohammed said, Women healthcare providers can play an important role in educating society to recognize their health and nutrition needs.
“Women professionals and empowerment of women at all levels are required for improvement of the health and nutrition structure in the communities,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Safahatu Ajiya, of Isawa community in Giade LGA, explained that women’s roles in healthcare were primarily as caretakers and nurturers;
“As wives, mothers, and nurses; and in their responsibility for children, the sick, the aged, and the disabled,” she said.
Ajiya called on the government to recruit and train more women health workers as well as female teachers for redistribution to facilities in the communities.
In a remark , Mrs Florence Daniel, the programme Manager, Women Voice leadership (WVL) at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) in Bauchi said the training is for the community representatives to know their rights and how to demand for the right.
“We realize that the women pair groups and advocates need more awareness on knowing their basic rights in the society.
“We also educate them on how to demand for their rights and needs from politicians during campaigns and how to follow up the needs,” she said.
Mr Daniel said the human right based approach and Citizens engagement was organized by FAWOYDI with the support of Actionaid Nigeria.
