Foundation trains midwives, nurses on use of ultrasound equipment

On Apr 19, 2023

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has partnered with General Electric, a multi-national company, to train midwives and nurses in Lagos State on the use of ultrasound machines for pregnant mothers, in order to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

The foundation’s Lagos State Team Lead, Dr. Tonade Ayomide, said the training involved the use of new portable hand-held V-Scan machines donated by the foundation.

She revealed that the foundation had earlier donated eight ultrasound machines to health facilities in states like the FCT Abuja, Kwara, Lagos and Osun.

Dr. Ayomide added that the foundation was partnering with General Electric, to carry out a two-day training for the nurses and midwives at the hospital.

“As we all know, midwives play a crucial role in ensuring safe deliveries and improving maternal and child health outcomes.

“The Wellbeing Foundation Africa recognises this, and as part of our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, have made it our goal to equip midwives with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively provide high-quality obstetric care.

“This training programme was organised to improve maternal and fetal outcomes by equipping midwives with the knowledge and skills to effectively use the V-Scan portable hand-held ultrasound machine.

‘’It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and an important step toward improving maternal and child health outcomes,” she said.

Also, Dr. Ayomide further stated that the organisation has achieved a lot with the support of the Founder and President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, and their partner, General Electric.

Speaking further, the foundation’s Finance and Endowment Accountant, Mr. Peter Olabode, said the healthcare sector was a critical aspect of any society, and investing in it was essential for sustainable development.

Olabode, who expressed concerns over the alarming indices of negative maternal and child health in Nigeria, said it was imperative that the country invested in interventions that could help reduce the rates.

He said, “Through this initiative, the healthcare sector in Nigeria has received a tremendous boost from our Founder and President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

‘’We implore the recipients of these machines to take full ownership and maintenance of these equipment to serve more people.

‘’We are confident that this investment will yield positive returns, not just in terms of improved healthcare outcomes, but also in terms of job creation and economic growth.”

The Director of Nursing Services, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs. Adebukola Cole, who lauded the foundation for the gesture, expressed hope that the move would improve the nurses’ productivity.

“By the time we are empowered, we will be able to reduce maternal and fetal mortality because most of the time, 24-hour nurses are on duty and when faced with challenges, would be able to use the machine to scan.

“They will also be able to pick some abnormalities, escalate, and carry out the necessary treatment for mothers and save the fetus.

“We appeal to the sonography units and the sonographers to help us so that the skills acquired will continue. We also appeal to the government to provide the necessary equipment that we need for us to be on top of our game,” she said.

Wumi/Punch