AlignMNH’s Post

In Nigeria, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, accounting for 27% of maternal mortality in the country. Despite being preventable and treatable, factors like poor care-seeking behavior and the use of substandard medicines continue to put women’s lives at risk. SCIDaR is proud to announce that we've been awarded a grant from the Catalytic Opportunity Fund, managed by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. and funded by MSD for Mothers and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO, to introduce and scale up the use of heat-stable Carbetocin (HSC) and Tranexamic Acid (TXA)—two critical medicines that prevent and treat PPH without the need for cold storage. Working in Cross River State, where maternal mortality is significantly higher than the national average, SCIDaR will support the government in updating policies, training healthcare workers, and ensuring life-saving treatments are widely available. Building on the collaborative success in Lagos, Kano, and Niger states, we remain committed to reducing maternal mortality across Nigeria by improving access to quality PPH prevention and treatment. Together with our partners, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. and Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF), we’re working towards a future where no woman dies giving birth. #MaternalHealth #PPHPrevention #HealthcareAccess #HealthImpact #CrossRiverState #SafeMotherhood

🌍 Dr. Stella Kokoricha Essiet, a #doctor with the Ministry of Health in Abuja, #Nigeria, shares an experience on the impact of malaria in her community: “Malaria or its treatment cause many pregnant women at early pregnancy to have miscarriages. The cost of antimalarials is so expensive now, and most people are usually treated up to 3 times before it can be eradicated, and get re infected within a very short time. The burden is telling on the already very fragile health systems with few health workers and low funding.” Ahead of #TeachToReach 11 on December 5-6, 2024, over 23,000 health professionals have already joined to exchange experiences and solutions. Join us to learn how #healthworkers worldwide are addressing the health challenges posed by climate change in their communities. 🌿 #Malaria #ClimateChange #ClimateRisks #GlobalHealth #SDG3 #SDG13 #TeachToReach

On this Democracy Day, I reflect on the power of collective action and the critical role it plays in driving meaningful change. As an analyst and supply chain specialist within a Smile for Mothers dedicated to reducing maternal mortality, I am proud to be part of an initiative that harnesses the principles of democracy to improve healthcare outcomes. Smile for Mothers focuses on tackling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal deaths, through the introduction of innovative drugs like heat-stable carbetocin and tranexamic acid. These advancements not only represent significant progress in medical science but also underscore the importance of equitable access to life-saving treatments. Democracy thrives on the participation and collaboration of diverse stakeholders. In our mission, we unite governments, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and local communities to ensure that these vital drugs reach the women who need them most, regardless of geographical or economic barriers. As we commemorate Democracy Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to leveraging the principles of democracy—equity, inclusivity, and collective effort—to create a healthier, safer world for all mothers. Together, we can drive transformative change and make a lasting impact on global maternal health. Happy Democracy Day Nigeria

In the past decade, #IvoryCoast has stood out as a powerhouse in West #Africa, thanks to its impressive economic growth. As the leading global exporter of cocoa and raw cashew nuts, the country has achieved an average real #GDP growth of 6.5% between 2021 and 2023. While navigating political challenges and striving for deeper democratic reforms, Ivory Coast has attracted substantial public and private investments, maintaining its #stability and dynamism. Despite these economic strides, the #healthcare system faces considerable hurdles, such as underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled #health workers. Malaria remains a major health threat, particularly for children, and there's urgent work to be done in maternal and #neonatal healthcare, highlighted by a maternal mortality rate of 480 per 100,000 births. In 2024, the #ChiesiFoundation entered Ivory Coast in collaboration with Medici con l'Africa Cuamm/ Doctors with Africa CUAMM, and with the supervision of the National Program for Maternal and Child Health by the Ministry of Health, marking a significant step in enhancing healthcare in the region. The Foundation has implemented its #NEST (Neonatal Essential Survival Technology) model to tackle #neonatalmortality by improving neonatal care. This strategic approach focuses on key areas: #education, infrastructure, protocols, and #data. This partnership aims to train local healthcare professionals, establish #neonatalcare units equipped with essential medical tools, implement #newborncare guidelines, and promote #datacollection to ensure continuous quality improvement. The Chiesi Foundation's initiatives are set to transform the lives of #newborns and their families in Ivory Coast, addressing critical healthcare challenges while promoting #sustainabledevelopment for local communities. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/d3aUFzj4 #HealthForAll #HealthEquity #InternationalCooperation #GlobalSouth #CUAMM

We visited the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja to seek the collaboration of the Federal Government in pursuit of our mission to reduce the burden of #endometriosis in Nigeria. In her erudite presentation, our Founder Olivia .C. Nwankudu unpacked the current challenges with endometriosis diagnosis and care in the country. A key factor is the overall lack of awareness about endometriosis; which justifies the absence of nationwide data on disease prevalence, perpetuates the myths/misinformation about the disease, enables inadequate health literacy and deficiency in skills/capacity... thereby resulting in diagnostic delays and a continued lack of effective care. She acknowledged the noble work of our healthcare providers in delivering equitable care to the population, whilst also making a case for improved health outcomes for girls/women dealing with endometriosis. We had thoughtful deliberations highlighting possible avenues to heighten awareness, the need for reduction in treatment costs for patients, strengthening our patient support groups, capacity building for care providers, and much more. Our appreciation to the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate for the invitation; the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Daju Kachollom mni; the Director of Hospital Services (DHS), Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen mni; the Head/Director of Teaching Hospital Division, Dr. O.N Anuma; the Unit Heads and esteemed staff of the DHS for hosting us graciously. We applaud their engagement, and dedication to improving the wellbeing of women👏. While we look forward to having our prayers granted and implementing the action notes discussed, we remain hopeful. Because tackling endometriosis aligns with the Administration's strategic vision for the health sector encapsulated in the NHSRII: which includes reducing physical pain, reducing financial pain, reducing prevalence of non-communicable diseases and maternal, reproductive & adolescent conditions, and creating a health system that leaves no one behind. #endometriosisnigeria #endosurvivors #endendo #adenomyosis #painfulperiods #FMoH #leavenoonebehind #womenshealth

ENDOMETRIOSIS: CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN / HEAVY PAINFUL MENSTRUATION / INFERTILITY Endometriosis is a common benign diseases of women of childbearing age, affecting about 190million women worldwide. It is a multifocal disease and can occur in the ovaries, womb and its supporting tissues, and other nearby organs including the urinary bladder, vagina, bowel and even, not uncommonly, in the chest and upper abdomen. 3 main types: superficial endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DE). Symptoms of endometriosis include - heavy painful menstruation, infertility, difficulty with intercourse, urination and emptying bowel, acute or chronic pelvic pain, stress, anxiety and can cause poor wellbeing/quality of life. Presently, there is no permanent cure for the endometriosis. But ameliorating symptomatic/effective medical and or surgical treatments are available for pain (chronic or associated with menstruation), infertility, social and emotional sequelae of the disease are available mostly in dedicated hospitals or clinics and other medical centers with interests in finding solutions to improving the quality of lives of those with the disease. Medison Specialist Women's Hospital 18b Olatunji Moore st. Off TF Kuboye Road, Lekki phase 1, Lekki, Lagos. www.themedisonhospital.com www.fertilityassyst.com www.pregnancythinking.com #endometriosis #laparoscopy #hysteroscopy #hormonetherapy #relugolix #gynaecology #chronicpelvicpain #IVF #womenshealth #olivianwakudu #afrh #sogon #agesnigeria #endometriosisandadenomyosis #amerraza #rcog #hfn #endosurvivoursinternational #richardajayi

"Access to affordable, clinically-recommended medicines that consistently meet quality standards is vital to help ensure better and more equitable health outcomes for women. Unfortunately, health systems, especially in LMICs, struggle to safeguard the quality of their medicines." According to the World Health Organization, 10% of all medicines in LMICs worldwide are substandard or falsified. And nearly 50% of all medicines that are used to prevent or manage #PostpartumHemorrhage fail quality tests in LMICs – with life-threatening consequences for women. Read more on why quality medicines matter and what's driving quality challenges in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Rwanda: https://lnkd.in/dKDxkXwy This post is written by: Jeffrey Jacobs and Temitayo Erogbogbo of Merck's MSD for Mothers; Vivianne Ihekweazu of Nigeria Health Watch; and Ahmet Metin Gülmezoglu of Concept Foundation (non-profit). #HealthEquity #MaternalHealth #MaternalMortality #GlobalGoals Photo caption: A woman with her newborn baby and health workers in a health facility in Nigeria. Quality-assured medicines are critical to achieve high quality maternal care.  Photo credit: Paul Joseph Brown/Concept Foundation cc US Pharmacopeia, USAID

Muhammad Ali Pate Key Takeaways from Politics Today on Channels TV: He calls for stronger federal and state collaboration, as well as private sector engagement, to eliminate malaria by 2025. ‘Malaria is a national priority—sustained investment and partnerships are essential.’ He stresses the need for trust in Nigeria’s healthcare: ‘Our nation has world-class professionals, and leaders from other countries seek care here. Let’s build confidence, improve access, and ensure quality healthcare for all Nigerians. He said that Nigeria’s healthcare sector is taking decisive steps toward self-sufficiency! The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has launched initiatives to boost local production of medical supplies, reducing reliance on imports and supporting job growth. Let’s work together to support these initiatives and advocate for a healthier Nigeria. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts and engage in the conversation. #HealthcareReform #Healthcare #TrustOurSystem #Nigeria #MalariaElimination #NigeriaHealth #MedicalIndustrialization #Nigeria

At the launch of the MSD-for-Mothers funded FORM(om) programme earlier today in Asaba, Delta State. The Financing and Operational Revitalization for Maternal Care - FORM(om) programme seeks to improve the quality of maternal care, reduce maternal mortality and ultimately strengthen systems for safer childbirth in Nigeria. To achieve these outcomes, the programme will address the 3rd delay that contributes to maternal mortality (delay in receiving appropriate treatment at the health facility) by deploying a 4-pronged approach: 1. Providing financing for facility operations through the HeliumCredit loan facility 2. Digitization of the paper-based health records management system via the deployment of HeliumEMR 3. Strengthening the capacity of clinical and administrative staff to improve facility operations and offer quality service delivery and 4. Creating demand and linking communities to health facilities to access maternal services. The FORM(om) programme will be implemented by a consortium of Helium Health, SCIDaR - Solina Centre for International Development and Research and AFRIDA. Nigeria Health Watch #GivingBirthInNigeria #EndMaternalMortality #SDG3.1 #HealthFinancing #HealthSystemsStrengthening

Can the healthcare sector in Africa ever get better… You would think I am a woman in labour, travailing in pains until the baby is delivered I am often left to think that things can never get better in the health sector of Africa. Could I be wrong? Can there be a remedy? Why must it be Africa? Ebola, Lassa Fever, MPox, name it... Can the health care sector in Africa ever get better? What measures can be put in place to curb this menace? These birth pangs are becoming more intense. Before we start talking about government policies, can we give a progress report on how beneficial it has been? What roles can individuals play? Is there a way out? Please I really need your input on this. #Heathequity #20dayslinkedinchallengewithhaoma