LSACA Trains Traditional Birth Attendants

The Lagos AIDS Control Agency, LSACA, has trained about 1600 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, Referral, Linkages and Universal Safety Precautions (USP) across the 20 Local Governments of the State. 

Addressing participants at the two-day training of five batches, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. (Mrs.) Monsurat Adeleke said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has graciously approved the release of funds for the sensitisation to reduce vertical transmission of HIV from Mother-to-Child. 

Dr. Adeleke emphasised that the Agency’s goal of achieving an HIV-free generation, as well as the UNAIDS 90-90-90 initiative to eliminate new HIV infections by the year 2030, resulted in a partnership with the Traditional Medicine Board to sensitise TBAs on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. 

She, therefore, urged tradition medicine attendants to know their limits on delivering HIV positive mothers, which makes referral and linkages an essential part of the programme,  adding that the Agency will be deploying the use of HIV oral test kits for the clients of the TBAs  because early screening determines early referral.

While appreciating the Lagos State Government for the gesture, the Co-ordinator of Kosofe Local Government Area of the TBAs and Matron -in-Charge of ABLE GOD Trado-Medicare and Maternity Home, Mrs. Christiana Iyabo Oyebanji, and Otunba Joseph Awoyemi Olosunde of JACOB Herbal Home and Sons, among other dignitaries, promised to cascade the training to other members absent from the programme.