Pregnant Women Turn to Risky Home Births as Nigerian Clinic Buckles Under Pressure

Pregnant women in Gauraka, Nigeria, are increasingly avoiding their local primary health clinic and opting for riskier home births. This shift is a direct response to severe overcrowding and understaffing at the Gauraka Primary Health Centre (PHC). The clinic serves a large population and cannot meet the demand. As a result, many expectant mothers now rely on traditional birth attendants, who often lack formal medical training. Health experts warn this trend puts both mothers and newborns in danger. Serious complications can arise during pregnancy and delivery, often requiring emergency care that home births cannot provide. The situation highlights a growing crisis in maternal healthcare access in parts of Niger State, where overburdened facilities are pushing women toward potentially unsafe alternatives.