Maternal and newborn health improves in rural Nigeria, Ethiopia and India but inequities still exist

Eurekalert Nigeria, Ethiopia, India HNN Team

This article was originally published by EurekAlert referring to the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) Community-based health programs in parts of rural Nigeria, Ethiopia and India were successful in improving health care for mothers and newborns, but inequities still exist, according to a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). “Our findings have both … Continued

Newborn baby deaths in Africa targeted in $68M initiative

Eurekalert Kenya, Tanzania, United Republic of, Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda HNN Team

This story was originally published by EurekAlert citing Rice University. Hundreds of thousands of babies could be saved through a major global health initiative launched here today to improve newborn hospital care throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Almost half of childhood deaths occur in the first four weeks of life, and newborns in sub-Saharan Africa are nearly … Continued

Nigeria: Health minister, Delta Governor say rising rates of maternal, infant mortality unacceptable

The Guardian (Nigeria) Nigeria HNN Team

This article was originally published in The Guardian (Nigeria) here. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday decried the “rising and unprecedented” rates of maternal and infant mortality in the country, and declared that the trend was “simply unacceptable”. The duo spoke at the opening ceremony of the … Continued

CSO calls for return of free antenatal service in Gombe

Nigerian Tribune Nigeria HNN Team

This article was originally published in Nigerian Tribune here. By Ishola Michael A Gombe based Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Network for Maternal and Newborn Child Health Initiative, (NMNCHI), has appealed to the Gombe State Government to revive the free antenatal services in order to promote family health. The call was made by the Chairman of … Continued

Creating a haven for quality primary care in Niger State, Nigeria: The Fuka example

Nigeria Health Watch Nigeria HNN Team

This article was originally published on Nigeria Health Watch here. On a cold drizzling morning in Fuka village, Munya local government area (LGA), Niger State, three-day-old Oscar has just been bathed and dressed by his grandmother. He looks healthy in his sweater and lies comfortably in his mother’s arms. Twenty-three-year-old Mary, his mother, had just … Continued

Nigeria: Kogi governor initiates free healthcare service for pregnant women

PM News Nigeria Nigeria HNN Team

This article was originally published on PM News Nigeria here. Gov. Yahaya Bello, of Kogi, has initiated free healthcare services for pregnant women as part of efforts to tackle the rising rates of maternal and infant mortality. Bello, at the inaugural ceremony of the service in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area, said that its aim … Continued

Nigeria’s ‘Flying Midwives’ Are Helping Save Moms and Babies

Time Nigeria HNN Team

By Aryn Baker | Photographs by Lynsey Addario for TIME February 7, 2019 In the small, whitewashed medical clinic of Banki, one of northeastern Nigeria’s largest camps for internally displaced people (IDP), midwife Stella Aneto takes a rare pause between deliveries to catch her breath. Before wiping down the clinic’s sole delivery bed with disinfectant, Aneto glances at the clinic … Continued

In Nigeria, Faith in Health Care is Saving Lives

Nigeria HNN Team

In Nigeria, MCSP is improving maternal and child health by removing the obstacles that threaten access to high-quality services. At 321 facilities across two states, we’re helping providers – in training or already working – to prevent needless deaths by translating new and improved knowledge & skills into practice. A close ally in this fight … Continued

Series 2, episode 1- In Ebonyi and Kogi states, health workers learn quality improvement skills on top of clinical skills, and are improving quality of care on the day of birth

Quality Talks Nigeria HNN Team

Over 90 health facilities in the Eboni and Kogi states of Nigeria have joined a quality improvement initiative to improve the quality of care for women and newborn on the day of birth. In just two years, they have seen massive improvement in some of the key clinical practices such as managing post-partum haemorrhage, resuscitating … Continued

Driven by traditional leaders, a “magic” ointment is preventing deaths in newborns: A story from Sokoto

Nigeria Health Watch Nigeria HNN Team

Gagi community on the outskirts of Sokoto in Northern Nigeria is a settlement where everyone knows each other. Modern and traditional style buildings sit side by side. People are gathered in groups in what is popularly known as ‘Majalisa’, or council on either side of the road, in between clusters of shops and houses. One … Continued