Medical Legitimacy: Childbirth, Authenticity, and Pluralism in Nigeria's Faith-Based Birthing Homes

April 9, 2021 -
12:00pm to 1:00pm

Ogechukwu Williams, PhD
Assistant Professor of History
​Creighton University

Abstract: This talk will explore the advent of faith-based maternity homes in Nigeria and their evolution since the early 1930s, including how they adapted to socio-political and biomedical trends in their search for legitimacy. While other scholars have studied the contemporary roles of post-colonial African churches in health and healing, very few have considered faith-based obstetrics. By examining the history and professionalization of faith homes, Dr. Williams highlights the growth and significance of faith-based birthing institutions as primary maternal healthcare providers in Nigeria. She also shows the importance of medical pluralism in Africa and the indigenization of post-colonial African institutions.

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This lecture is part of the African Studies Program’s Critical Research on Africa series

Location and Address

Online