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 Nigerian division of the global medical technology innovator, General Electric (GE) Healthcare.

Wellbeing Foundation, in a statement said the arrival of the high-tech portable ultrasound machines will contribute to the organisation’s progressive antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care pathway; a community-centred offering that daily commits to the early detection and subsequent diagnosis of women and neonates, in a bid to minimise adverse antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal complications.

According to the World Health Organisation, the Maternal Mortality Rate of Nigeria is 814 (per 100,000 live births) with evidence suggesting that the increase in rates is due to three common signs of delay; in making decision to seek maternal healthcare, in locating and arriving at a medical facility, and in receiving skilled pregnancy care when a woman gets to the health facility.

WBFA’s founder-president, Toyin Saraki, has therefore expressed optimism that this marvelous donation really will solidify the crucial global journeyto zeroing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Reaffirming her commitment and thoughts towards a technologically-supported care pathway in an evolving world, Mrs Saraki said “It is often said that the first cut is the deepest, and I believe this to be very true when I think of my WBFA midwives. Their daily commitment to zeroing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, before, during and post- EmONC training, was not overshadowed by the pandemic.

“The number zero remained front of mind – even when other numbers continued to increase. We’ve had many successful ‘firsts,’ last year and this year in particular, and as our Mamacare program continues to evolve in support of building back better and reaching the last mile.

“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. The welcomed donation of these ultrasound machines will contribute to the empowerment of the frontliner and the family.”

The statement noted that the Foundation’s commitment to hands-on evidence based care is consistently demonstrated throughout its Mamacare 360, PSHE and WASH programs, where successful partnerships with Global entities such as Laerdal and Medela, Alive and Thrive and Global Water, has reiterated the power and importance of simulation, hands-on and evidence-based training and medical practices, and the role these components play in up-skilling mothers, men and the midwives who actualise their continuum of care.

“Today, both present and prospective frontliners, women of reproductive age and those ‘with child,’ are set to benefit from the donation which will be powered by community angels – namely midwives in Okelele PHC, Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State, Ajikobi Cottage Hospital, Ilorin West LGA, Kwara State, Lugbe PHC, Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT Abuja, Dafa PHC, Kwali Municipal Area Council, FCT Abuja, Karu PHC Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT Abuja, Oniru PHC, Eti Osa LGA, Lagos State, Ijora Oloye PHC, Apapa LGA Lagos Stats and Isokun PHC Ilesha West LGA, Osun State.