Professional Management of Obstetric Emergencies in Secondary Healthcare Facilities Across Kano State

Obstetric emergencies including eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, and septic shock account for the majority of preventable maternal deaths in Nigerian secondary healthcare facilities, yet professional emergency management capacity at this level remains inadequately evaluated. This study assesses the professional management of obstetric emergencies in secondary healthcare facilities across Kano State, North West Nigeria, covering 12 general hospitals in Kano Metropolitan, Dambatta, and Rano LGAs. A mixed-methods design combines structured facility assessments using the WHO emergency obstetric care signal functions checklist with interviews of 30 senior nursing and midwifery staff. Emergency obstetric care readiness scores were computed and benchmarked against national standards. Basic emergency obstetric care signal function completion was achieved in only 58 percent of facilities, with parenteral anticonvulsant administration and assisted vaginal delivery as the most consistently available functions. Blood transfusion capability was absent in 67 percent of facilities. Magnesium sulphate was stocked in 75 percent of facilities but protocols for its administration were available in only 40 percent. Staff confidence in eclampsia management was rated adequate in only 44 percent of respondents. The study reveals substantial emergency readiness deficits in Kano secondary facilities and recommends obstetric emergency simulation training, protocol adoption, and comprehensive emergency obstetric care signal function completion as state health policy requirements. Keywords: obstetric emergencies, emergency obstetric care, Kano State, secondary healthcare, maternal safety