“We used to perceive maternal-perinatal death audits as self-incrimination”

Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Uganda HNN Team

As recent as early this year, a mere mention of a maternal or perinatal audit before midwives and nurses in the eastern Uganda district of Kibuku would send shivers down their spine. “We even used to perceive audits as incriminating by reporting ourselves. But from the MPDSR training we now know the importance of conducting … Continued

Africa: Innovating for Mothers Challenge launched to improve maternal and newborn health care in Senegal

All Africa Senegal HNN Team

This article was originally published by All Africa DAKAR, SENEGAL (May 21st, 2020) — Reach for Change Senegal has launched a national competition called the “Innovating for Mothers Challenge” aimed at finding and supporting innovative and entrepreneurial initiatives for maternal and newborn health in Senegal that are ready to grow their impact. The Challenge has been … Continued

African leaders call for immediate action to save additional lives from malaria in the face of COVID-19

HNN Team

This article was originally published by RBM   In response to mounting concerns around the impact of COVID-19 on malaria elimination efforts across the African continent, the African members of the End Malaria Council have released a joint statement and a four-pronged action plan calling on African and global leaders to act quickly to: protect the decades … Continued

Africa can’t let maternity care slide during the coronavirus pandemic

The Conversation HNN Team

This article was originally published by The Conversation Amid global commitments to defeat, or at least minimise, the pervasive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the African continent remains unclear. African governments have moved quickly to mobilise resources and strengthen their emergency preparedness and response capacities. But particular attention needs to be paid to the most … Continued

To deliver tech solutions in delivery rooms, donors look to distribution

Devex Malawi HNN Team

This article was originally published by Devex By Catherine Cheney SAN FRANCISCO — One million newborns die every year in Africa, and 80% of these deaths are preventable with technologies that have been available for 50 years in the U.S., according to Dr. Queen Dube, a pediatrician at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. … Continued

Labor of love: Gill native describes spending the holiday season as a midwife in South Sudan

Daily Hampshire Gazette South Sudan HNN Team

This article was originally published by the Daily Hampshire Gazette By Maureen O’Reilly On Christmas Day last month, Elizabeth “Liza” Ramlow, of Gill, awoke eight hours ahead of her family in western Massachusetts. It wasn’t because she’s an earlier riser. Instead, eight time zones, the Atlantic Ocean and about half the continent of Africa separated … Continued

Expansion of the Saving Maternal and Newborn Lives in Refugee Settings Project (Cameroon, Niger, Chad): Summary of Baseline Assessment

Relief Web Cameroon, Chad, Niger HNN Team

Access to quality health services is essential for women and newborns in refugee contexts. In times of conflict, displacement, or humanitarian emergency, neonatal and maternal health is often compromised and the availability of maternal, newborn, and family planning services becomes even more important. In line with UNHCR’s mandate and with support from the Bill and … Continued

New Project Aims to Increase First-Time Parents’ Access to Family Planning in Bangladesh and Tanzania

GW Public Health Bangladesh, Tanzania, United Republic of HNN Team

Every year, over 13 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth in low- and middle-income countries, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Many of these young mothers are married and first-time parents, and are often under family and community pressure to have a second child quickly. Young mothers who have a second child very rapidly … Continued

South Africa steps up its game to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV

The Conversation South Africa HNN Team

This article was originally published on The Conversation South Africa’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme has achieved remarkable successes in recent years. It has improved the health and life expectancy for pregnant women living with HIV, and it has reduced the risk of transmission of the virus to their offspring. HIV can be transmitted during … Continued

Kangaroo mother care technology at Mother Baby Unit at PGH boost growth of preterm babies

Standard Digital Kenya HNN Team

This article was originally published by the Standard Digital When Susan Akinyi, 26, from Heshima estate in Nakuru gave birth to her second child, she was worried and confused. The baby was too tiny, with low birth weight of only 900 grammes. It was hard for the mother to cuddle her baby, but a nurse … Continued