Nigeria, Sept. 11 -- Queen Purple, 25, keenly looked forward to the arrival of her first child. Pregnancy had caused her nausea and fatigue, and she struggled with the increasing weight of the growing baby.

She attended the primary healthcare centre (PHC) in her community of Emere Oke kingdom in the Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State for antenatal care. However, as her due date drew closer, she was advised to deliver with a traditional birth attendant (TBA) in a neighbouring village - a path many women in the community take.

"The PHC rarely opens at night. So, our community's women advised me against taking chances in case the baby comes at night," she recalled.

Five months into her pregnancy, Mrs Purple had witnessed a neighbour los...