AllAfrica reported that public-private partnerships in Jigawa State, Nigeria, and The Gambia’s North Bank Region are reshaping maternal health by integrating traditional birth attendants into formal healthcare systems. These community-led interventions aim to address persistent barriers such as transportation difficulties and the disconnect between rural communities and health facilities. The programs focus on strengthening grassroots networks to ensure timely access to skilled care for mothers and newborns.
In Jigawa State, the government introduced the Maternal and Neonatal Emergency Transport Scheme to overcome geographical isolation. When a woman goes into labor, her husband contacts a local community health ambassador, known as Jakada Lafiya, who maintains a directory of vetted drivers. The driver transports the patient to the nearest primary health care center at a subsidized fee reimbursed by the state. Dr. Shehu Sambo, who leads the state’s primary health care agency, noted that the governor recently raised the per-trip payment for drivers from 5,000 to 10,000 naira to maintain motivation. According to AllAfrica, the scheme transports over 3,000 women annually, with participating facilities recording no maternal deaths attributed to late arrival since the program began.
In The Gambia, similar efforts are underway in communities like Mendy Kunda. The Village Development Committee has appointed women leaders as traditional birth attendants to monitor expectant mothers and facilitate referrals. AllAfrica reported that home delivery rates in The Gambia have declined sharply, dropping from roughly 36 percent in 2013 to just over 14 percent in the most recent national survey. The national Health Ministry is reinforcing this progress through a new reproductive and maternal health policy, which strengthens mortality monitoring at multiple administrative levels.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Fahad Hazaru, a program lead at the Youth Impact Foundation, noted that some traditional birth attendants occasionally delay referrals and that clinic staff sometimes alienate patients. Dr. Sambo also pointed to staff shortages in some primary health centers, where a single midwife may operate where national guidelines require four. Hazaru recommended involving community-based organizations for independent monitoring and maintaining consistent stipend disbursements to prevent burnout and hidden costs for rural families.