Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Breaking News:

Saraki moves against maternal mortality, commits $72,000

By Ngozi Egenuka
21 April 2023   |   4:05 am
Wife of erstwhile Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has decried the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, stressing the need to urgently reverse the trend.

Wife of erstwhile Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has decried the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, stressing the need to urgently reverse the trend.

Statistics show that the country has the fourth highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 576 per 100,000 live births.  Every year, approximately 262,000 babies die at birth. The nation currently contributes 10 per cent of global deaths for pregnant mothers.

Saraki, who is also the founder of Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), noted that midwives play a crucial role in ensuring safe deliveries and improving maternal and child health outcomes, hence, the need to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality obstetric care.

Represented by Senior Programmes Lead, Lagos, Ayomide Tonade, at a two-day midwives’ training on use of V-Scan portable ultrasound machine, organised by WBFA, in partnership with General Electric (GE), in Lagos, Saraki explained that the V-Scan is a powerful tool that helps midwives identify potential pregnancy complications earlier, therefore, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes for both mother and baby.

During the training, the participants were provided both theoretical and practical sessions on use of the machine, covering the basic principles of ultrasound technology, image acquisition, interpretation and reporting. The practical sessions provided hands-on training on use of the equipment, including how to perform basic obstetric ultrasound scans.

Finance and Endowment Accountant, WBFA, Peter Olabode, said $72,000 was invested in acquiring the machines, which have been distributed in three states and Abuja.

“The Foundation has been at the forefront of advocating for better maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria. Through our partnership with General Electric, Founder, WBFA, Toyin Saraki, has been able to donate eight V-Scan portable hand-held ultrasound machines with an investment cost of $9,000 each, and these machines have been given to the following states: Lagos, Abuja, Kwara, Osun, and more states to come. Imagine an investment cost of $72,000 on these machines, coupled with a capitalised training investment cost of $13,000. This signals the commencement of an IGR future funds for the PHCs and other healthcare facilities in Nigeria,” he clarified.

Clinical Applications Specialist, GE, Gospel Johnson, restated that his organisation provides equipment and innovations that assist medical practitioners in attending seamlessly to patients.

Director, Nursing Services, Lagos state Health Service Commission, Cole Adebukola, applauded the initiative, while stating that a major concern to the profession remains the rising maternal mortality rate.

She said empowering midwives was a right step towards addressing the problem.

Adebukola urged pregnant women to register for antenatal early enough for safety of their unborn babies.

0 Comments