By Augusta Agina
Determined to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality in the country, Lagos State government has commenced a six-week training and orientation programme for more than 190 traditional birth attendants in the state.

According to the officials of the State Traditional Medicine Board, the training is aimed at bringing them up-to-date with modern health care techniques.

Speaking during a ceremony to flag off the training, the Registrar, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Dr. Bodunrin Oluwa said the training is one of the statutory function of the Board.

Oluwa said “Past administrations in the State have been very supportive by providing enabling environment for cordial relationship with orthodox medical practices in the state.”

He said the training is to further enlighten the attendants on knitty- gritty involved in child bearing as well as challenges faced in a modern world as regards mother and child mortality, adding that “the loss of any child or mother during delivery or due to unnecessary carelessness will not be taking lightly by the state government”