Two weeks ago, the first successful training program for midwives on the use of the VScan portable hand-held ultrasound machine was held in Abuja, organized by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in partnership with General Electric. The training aimed to equip midwives with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use the VScan machine and improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa has generously donated eight VScan machines to the healthcare facilities where the training program has been held. This donation will enable midwives to continue to use the skills they have acquired during the training and provide high-quality obstetric care to women in need.

Following the success of the Abuja training program, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has brought the training to Lagos, this training took place on the 18^th and 19^th of April, 2023 at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. The program was received with great enthusiasm by midwives from various healthcare facilities, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

This training marks, the first time midwives in these regions will be trained on the use of the VScan machine, and it is expected to have a significant impact on maternal and fetal outcomes in the areas covered by the training. The theoretical and practical sessions have provided hands-on training on the use of the VScan machine, covering basic principles of ultrasound technology, image acquisition, interpretation, and reporting, as well as how to perform basic obstetric ultrasound scans.

Midwives now have the knowledge and abilities to operate and interpret ultrasound images using the VScan Portable Ultrasound Machine thanks to a 2-day training course led by Mr. Gospel Johnson, Lead Application Specialist Ultrasound Imaging Modality, GE Medical Technologies West Africa.

The midwives who participated in the training program expressed gratitude for the chance to advance their abilities and knowledge, and they said they now have more confidence in their capacity to efficiently operate the VScan device. The midwives' level of participation and engagement has impressed the facilitators, who also remarked on how quickly they pick up new information and how eager they are to put it to use in their daily work

Stakeholders present at this 2-days training include a Representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, a Representative of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, a Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mr. Olurotimi Awojide, Director of Nursing Services, Health Service Commission, Lagos, Mrs. Adebukola Cole, The Medical Director, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, The Apex Nurse, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Champion, Representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Representative of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, The Commandant of 9 Brigade Medical Centre.

Speaking on the training, the Founder and President of WBFA, Her Excellency Toyin Ojora Saraki, said, "The Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s quest to continue contributing to global goals of zero maternal and neonatal deaths by 2030, has been further powered following the generous donation of eight VScan handheld ultrasound machines from the Nigeria division of the global medical technology innovator, General Electric (GE) Healthcare. The deployment of high-tech portable ultrasound machines will contribute to the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s progressive antenatal intrapartum and postnatal care pathway; a community health-centered offering that daily commits to the early detection and subsequent diagnosis of women and neonates to minimize adverse antenatal intrapartum and postnatal complications. A well-trained and supported midwife delivering quality antenatal and postnatal maternity care and counsel to an informed and empowered mother is the difference between life and death. We welcome the donation of these ultrasound machines that will contribute to the NI empowerment of the frontline –and the family."

Also commenting on the training Director, Nursing Services, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs. Cole Adebukola, applauded the initiative, and stated that the rising rate of maternal mortality remains a major concern to the profession and empowering midwives is a right step towards addressing the problem.

The WBFA and GE partnership is a critical step toward enhancing mother and child health outcomes in Nigeria and demonstrates the dedication of both organizations to enhancing healthcare in Africa. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is committed to improving the quality of obstetric care and will conduct similar training programs in Lagos later this month to equip more midwives with the skills needed to effectively use ultrasound machines and improve maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria.