By Kamaluddeen Nuhu Ilelah:
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Programme, operating under the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has carried out a community-wide sensitisation campaign on Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) in Bayara Village, Bauchi Local Government Area.
The initiative is aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality through improved surveillance and accurate identification of causes of death among children and pregnant women.
The sensitisation programme brought together traditional rulers, local government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners, and community members to raise awareness on the importance of determining the underlying causes of deaths in order to improve public health interventions.
In his welcome address, the Principal Investigator of CHAMPS, Dr. Faruq Umar, said the programme was designed to tackle the persistent challenges of maternal mortality and poor child health in the state.
According to him, community cooperation remains essential to the success of the initiative, noting that residents would continue to receive education on various health complications affecting women and children.
He explained that pregnant women enrolled under the programme are closely monitored to ensure they maintain good health before delivery, adding that thousands of children’s lives could be saved through early detection and proper medical intervention.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area, Hon. Mahmud Babamaji Abubakar, represented by the Director of Primary Healthcare in the LGA, Alhaji Sulaiman Abdu Kirfi, described the programme as a timely intervention considering the high rate of child mortality in the country and Bauchi State in particular.
He stressed that identifying the actual causes of deaths is critical to developing effective health responses and policies.
The chairman also commended the Bauchi State Government under Governor Bala Mohammed for creating an enabling environment for international non-governmental organisations, including CHAMPS, to operate successfully in the state.
He disclosed that about 212 hospital wards currently provide free medical services, including free delivery services and delivery kits, with plans underway to extend the initiative across all wards in the state.
Also addressing the gathering, the Danjikan Bauchi and District Head of Miri, Alhaji Hussaini Abubakar Othman, said the programme, if fully embraced by communities, would significantly reduce the alarming rate of child mortality in Bauchi State.
He observed that the increasing number of child deaths poses a serious threat to future development, noting that children represent the leaders of tomorrow.
The traditional ruler stated that many deaths are linked to preventable or neglected illnesses within communities and urged husbands to support their wives in attending antenatal care services.
He also appealed to families to cooperate with CHAMPS officials by allowing tissue samples to be collected from deceased children to help determine the causes of death.
Alhaji Hussaini further noted that since the introduction of the programme, the number of deaths recorded in some communities has reduced, and he called for sustained cooperation to achieve a healthier society.
Providing an overview of the CHAMPS programme, Dr. Jamilu Yaya explained that its major components include pregnancy surveillance and postmortem examinations aimed at identifying causes of death and associated diseases.
On her part, paediatrician and gynaecologist, Dr. A’isha Zaidu, shed more light on the Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) technique.
She explained that although life and death ultimately remain in the hands of Allah, understanding the medical reasons behind sudden deaths is essential for protecting future lives.
According to her, MITS involves collecting only a tiny tissue sample for laboratory analysis, stressing that no part of the body is removed during the procedure.
She said the process helps experts determine whether deaths are linked to diseases, environmental conditions, or household-related factors.
Dr. A’isha commended the people of Bayara for their cooperation and appealed to families to remain patient and supportive whenever deaths occur to enable proper sample collection and analysis.
In a goodwill message, the representative of the Sultan Foundation, Dr. Sama’ila Ali, welcomed the sensitisation campaign and highlighted the foundation’s efforts in promoting vaccination awareness in collaboration with traditional institutions.
He reiterated the importance of immunisation in safeguarding children against preventable diseases.
Similarly, Dr. Kaltume Shuaibu of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) spoke on postpartum haemorrhage, describing it as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
She emphasised that early detection and proper management of postpartum bleeding are vital and can only be effectively achieved through regular antenatal care.
The event ended with a collective call on traditional rulers, healthcare workers, community leaders, and residents to work together toward improving maternal and child health outcomes in Bauchi State.
