By Ibrahima Yakubu
Kaduna (Nigeria) inhabitants of Hayin kogi- Mishigi village ln Igabi Local government area of Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria have cried out, following frequent loss of lives through the use of canoe in crossing River Kaduna.
The inhabitants are local farmers and fishermen carrying out commercial activities along the river bank for a living.
Residents of the area have been complaining of lack of medical facilities thereby contributing to maternal deaths of women and children in the area.
Most of them depend on the use of canoes as a mean of transportation connecting them with other parts of the state.
Shamshindeen Abdulmudallib, a resident of the area told newsmen that he lost his wife while trying to cross the river on their way to the hospital .
“She was bleeding coupled with the delay encountered before getting medical attention, the woman died on the way,” he said.
According to him, many men have also lost their wives through labour, as a result of lack of access to medical treatment.
“Some women start their labour mid night and by the time you get to the river, the canoe owners may not be there resulting to loss of life,” he lamented.
Shamshindeen explained that during raining season, residents of the area face one of the most difficult times to move freely due to lack of good road network, adding that it becomes a problem for the treatment of pregnant women and children.
He added that women have to trek long distance before using the boat to cross the river to go for their ant-natal and other medical checkups.
”Many women living in the area always suffer whenever it comes to the issue of giving birth due to lack of facilities, they have to cross the river in spite of its danger before they could be treated, ” he explained
News Editor