Stakeholders in the health sector have called for intensified efforts to tackle child mortality in Bauchi State, urging pregnant women to embrace hospital deliveries and timely healthcare services.

The call was made during a workshop organised by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Project of the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.

The programme focused on improving death reporting systems and identifying preventable causes of under-five deaths to enhance child survival outcomes in the state.

Delivering a presentation, Dr Laiman Ahmed Musa revealed that Bauchi State records approximately 125 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest figures in the country.

He attributed the situation to factors including poverty, malnutrition, inadequate immunisation, low maternal education and delays in seeking medical attention.

The medical expert also warned against home deliveries, saying many births still occur outside healthcare facilities, thereby increasing the risk of complications for both mothers and newborns.

Dr Aisha Musa Zaidu highlighted the role of mortality surveillance in helping health authorities understand the leading causes of child deaths and design effective interventions.

Similarly, Dr Faizu Ahmed Saleh explained that Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) provides medical experts with accurate information on causes of death through organ tissue analysis.

Earlier, Dr Jamilu Yaya said the CHAMPS project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through Emory University, is supporting efforts to reduce preventable child deaths in Bauchi State.

In his remarks, community leader Alhaji Rabiu Umar urged authorities and stakeholders to strengthen sensitisation campaigns at the grassroots to encourage better healthcare practices among residents.