Coverage

February 10th, 2024

I am delighted to announce our new The Wellbeing Foundation Africa programme in partnership with the esteemed Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to advance the EmONC Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

This collaboration is aimed at enhancing the availability of quality advanced Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services in both national and sub-national hospitals. By equipping the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria with the capacity to deliver advanced EmONC competency-based training, we’re making significant strides in fortifying Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

Under the Global Health Workforce Programme Grant, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust – THET, this initiative underscores WBFA’s dedication and efforts in building resilient health systems post-pandemic and advancing Universal Health Coverage goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.

This programme will leverage expertise from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Nigeria Liaison Group) and experienced master trainers in advanced EmONC from LSTM. Implemented on the frontlines by The Wellbeing Foundation Africa in collaboration with LSTM – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, this transformative partnership will make significant strides in improving maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes across Nigeria, through engaging stakeholders in postgraduate medical education, establishing advanced EmONC Centers of Excellence in Abuja and Lagos, and ensuring sustainable operations for postgraduate OBGYN revision courses.

In the past ten years THET has reached over 100,000 health workers across 31 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia in partnership with over 130 UK institutions, and as Founder of THET, Professor Sir Eldryd Parry, once said, if there’s mutual trust and a willingness on both sides to learn from each other, a readiness to adapt and a readiness to try new things then good work will happen. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is pleased to uphold this commitment across Nigeria, fostering trust with a commitment to both teaching and learning.

In strengthening the capacity of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, this project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, which is funded by the UK department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors.

September 25th, 2023

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and GE HealthCare have taken a significant step towards improving maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria by signing a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to equip midwives and nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use ultrasound machines.
This initiative aims to empower healthcare providers with the tools to deliver better care to expectant mothers and their unborn babies. As part of this collaboration, GE HealthCare has donated eight Vscan ultrasound devices. These compact, portable devices are well-suited for use in resource-limited settings, where accessing traditional ultrasound machines may be challenging.

The agreement was ceremonially signed by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, and Mr Eyong Ebai of GE HealthCare at The Sofitel Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the donation, WBFA and GE HealthCare are conducting comprehensive training for nurses and midwives which will impact over 96,000 mothers this year alone. These training programs in the states of Lagos, Abuja, and Kwara, include theoretical and practical sessions. Participants will receive hands-on training on the use of the Vscan device, covering basic principles of ultrasound technology, image acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and even basic obstetric ultrasound scans.
According to the World Health Organization, the Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria in 2017, was estimated at 917 per 100 000 live births; it increased by nearly 14% in 2020 to reach 1047 deaths2 with evidence suggesting that the increase in rates is due to three common signs of delay: in making the 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa said “This collaboration between WBFA and GE HealthCare is a significant milestone in our mission to promote the wellbeing of expectant mothers across Nigeria. With the power of ultrasound technology, we can now detect warning signs early, ensuring the health and safety of both mothers and babies. By providing Vscan devices, delivering comprehensive training, and raising awareness within communities, WBFA and GE HealthCare is working towards healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and brighter futures for mothers and babies across Nigeria.”

Mr. Ebai from GE HealthCare said “We are proud to support the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in their mission to improve maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria. This will enable critical healthcare services in remote areas; GE HealthCare’s involvement supports our strategy in Africa to providing healthcare professionals with the latest technology, we are equipping them with the means to detect potential complications early, ultimately saving lives.”

 

Read the Maternal Mortality Regional Factsheet.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toyin Saraki (@toyinsaraki)

September 19th, 2023

New York, United States – The year 2023, midpoint of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, marks a critical turning point in the global conversation around adolescent wellbeing and maternal healthcare. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa was proud to join the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting this September, bringing together influential global players to address the pressing needs of adolescents and to shine a light on a critical, often-overlooked phase of maternal health: the fourth trimester.

More than ten global organisations, including the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in partnership with Reckitt joined forces with Fondation Botnar to commit to action aimed at tackling the challenges faced by the world’s 1.8 billion adolescents, including water, sanitation and hygiene, focused on our programming, Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest. 

Alongside this, at CGI, I was honoured to contribute to ‘The Fourth Trimester: How to Provide Postpartum Support  and Reduce Post-Birth Mortality’, addressing the critical issue that demands our immediate attention: the fourth trimester, that often-overlooked period from birth to 12 weeks. This is a time when the delicate dance of mother-baby bonding unfolds, and mothers embark on the journey of physical recovery from childbirth. 

This phase represents a time of profound vulnerability for mothers as they navigate physical and emotional changes, including sleep deprivation, hormonal fluctuations, and the responsibility of nurturing a newborn. Unfortunately, inadequate support during the fourth trimester can lead to long-term health issues, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and increased risk of chronic illnesses.

Nigeria, like the United States, faces similar challenges in maternal healthcare. Maternal mortality rates remain a pressing concern, particularly for black, asian and minority ethnic rural and underserved communities in the USA. In this pivotal moment in history, it is imperative that we recognize the urgency of these matters and take global action to ensure that mothers and babies not only survive but thrive during the critical phases of healthcare. 

As we unite in our efforts to protect the wellbeing of mothers, their newborns and adolescents worldwide, let us forge a path toward a brighter, healthier future.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toyin Saraki (@toyinsaraki)

Releases

February 10th, 2024

I am delighted to announce our new The Wellbeing Foundation Africa programme in partnership with the esteemed Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to advance the EmONC Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

This collaboration is aimed at enhancing the availability of quality advanced Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services in both national and sub-national hospitals. By equipping the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria with the capacity to deliver advanced EmONC competency-based training, we’re making significant strides in fortifying Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

Under the Global Health Workforce Programme Grant, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust – THET, this initiative underscores WBFA’s dedication and efforts in building resilient health systems post-pandemic and advancing Universal Health Coverage goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.

This programme will leverage expertise from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Nigeria Liaison Group) and experienced master trainers in advanced EmONC from LSTM. Implemented on the frontlines by The Wellbeing Foundation Africa in collaboration with LSTM – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, this transformative partnership will make significant strides in improving maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes across Nigeria, through engaging stakeholders in postgraduate medical education, establishing advanced EmONC Centers of Excellence in Abuja and Lagos, and ensuring sustainable operations for postgraduate OBGYN revision courses.

In the past ten years THET has reached over 100,000 health workers across 31 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia in partnership with over 130 UK institutions, and as Founder of THET, Professor Sir Eldryd Parry, once said, if there’s mutual trust and a willingness on both sides to learn from each other, a readiness to adapt and a readiness to try new things then good work will happen. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is pleased to uphold this commitment across Nigeria, fostering trust with a commitment to both teaching and learning.

In strengthening the capacity of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, this project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, which is funded by the UK department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors.

September 25th, 2023

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and GE HealthCare have taken a significant step towards improving maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria by signing a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to equip midwives and nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use ultrasound machines.
This initiative aims to empower healthcare providers with the tools to deliver better care to expectant mothers and their unborn babies. As part of this collaboration, GE HealthCare has donated eight Vscan ultrasound devices. These compact, portable devices are well-suited for use in resource-limited settings, where accessing traditional ultrasound machines may be challenging.

The agreement was ceremonially signed by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, and Mr Eyong Ebai of GE HealthCare at The Sofitel Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the donation, WBFA and GE HealthCare are conducting comprehensive training for nurses and midwives which will impact over 96,000 mothers this year alone. These training programs in the states of Lagos, Abuja, and Kwara, include theoretical and practical sessions. Participants will receive hands-on training on the use of the Vscan device, covering basic principles of ultrasound technology, image acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and even basic obstetric ultrasound scans.
According to the World Health Organization, the Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria in 2017, was estimated at 917 per 100 000 live births; it increased by nearly 14% in 2020 to reach 1047 deaths2 with evidence suggesting that the increase in rates is due to three common signs of delay: in making the 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa said “This collaboration between WBFA and GE HealthCare is a significant milestone in our mission to promote the wellbeing of expectant mothers across Nigeria. With the power of ultrasound technology, we can now detect warning signs early, ensuring the health and safety of both mothers and babies. By providing Vscan devices, delivering comprehensive training, and raising awareness within communities, WBFA and GE HealthCare is working towards healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and brighter futures for mothers and babies across Nigeria.”

Mr. Ebai from GE HealthCare said “We are proud to support the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in their mission to improve maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria. This will enable critical healthcare services in remote areas; GE HealthCare’s involvement supports our strategy in Africa to providing healthcare professionals with the latest technology, we are equipping them with the means to detect potential complications early, ultimately saving lives.”

 

Read the Maternal Mortality Regional Factsheet.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toyin Saraki (@toyinsaraki)

September 19th, 2023

New York, United States – The year 2023, midpoint of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, marks a critical turning point in the global conversation around adolescent wellbeing and maternal healthcare. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa was proud to join the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting this September, bringing together influential global players to address the pressing needs of adolescents and to shine a light on a critical, often-overlooked phase of maternal health: the fourth trimester.

More than ten global organisations, including the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in partnership with Reckitt joined forces with Fondation Botnar to commit to action aimed at tackling the challenges faced by the world’s 1.8 billion adolescents, including water, sanitation and hygiene, focused on our programming, Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest. 

Alongside this, at CGI, I was honoured to contribute to ‘The Fourth Trimester: How to Provide Postpartum Support  and Reduce Post-Birth Mortality’, addressing the critical issue that demands our immediate attention: the fourth trimester, that often-overlooked period from birth to 12 weeks. This is a time when the delicate dance of mother-baby bonding unfolds, and mothers embark on the journey of physical recovery from childbirth. 

This phase represents a time of profound vulnerability for mothers as they navigate physical and emotional changes, including sleep deprivation, hormonal fluctuations, and the responsibility of nurturing a newborn. Unfortunately, inadequate support during the fourth trimester can lead to long-term health issues, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and increased risk of chronic illnesses.

Nigeria, like the United States, faces similar challenges in maternal healthcare. Maternal mortality rates remain a pressing concern, particularly for black, asian and minority ethnic rural and underserved communities in the USA. In this pivotal moment in history, it is imperative that we recognize the urgency of these matters and take global action to ensure that mothers and babies not only survive but thrive during the critical phases of healthcare. 

As we unite in our efforts to protect the wellbeing of mothers, their newborns and adolescents worldwide, let us forge a path toward a brighter, healthier future.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toyin Saraki (@toyinsaraki)