Nigeria, Nov. 27 -- It was 1 a.m. on 9 October, when 25-year-old Sadiya Sirajo felt the sharp waves of labour. Her estimated due date (EDD) had arrived. But there was one problem.

At Kwadabe, where she lived in Kiyawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa State, a health centre is situated a few metres from her home, but it wasn't an option. Not only was it shut, but it also lacked facilities to cater to childbirth.

Mrs Sirajo stopped visiting the facility for antenatal care, opting instead for the Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) in Katanga, a few kilometres from her home, and occasionally another hospital in Dutse, the state capital.

It was her first pregnancy, and she wanted adequate healthcare for herself and her unborn child, she ...