SEATTLE, Washington — In Nigeria, more than 180 women die daily “due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.” The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world with more than 800 deaths per 100,000 births in 2015. The Maternal Outcomes Matter, or MOMs Initiative, will financially support healthcare and medical innovation within sub-Saharan Africa. MOMs Initiative in Nigeria is supporting LifeBank, an organization that transports blood donations to people in need.
Pregnancy and Childbirth in Nigeria
Postpartum hemorrhage is the main cause of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. At least 25% of annual maternal deaths globally are from postpartum hemorrhage. A leading cause of death during pregnancy in Nigeria is postpartum hemorrhage. From hemorrhaging, a woman can lose more than 500 mL of blood in the first 24 hours of delivering a child.
Nigeria has poor-quality health facilities and hospitals, which makes maternal death a higher probability within this country. The risk of dying from childbirth is great due to inadequate facilities and medical products. There are also underlying risk factors to postpartum hemorrhage, but many mothers do not have access to quality healthcare due to financial limitations.
Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, Lead and Executive Director of Merck for Mothers states, “we know that many maternal deaths can be prevented if women have timely access to a skilled health provider and a well-equipped health facility.” Maternal healthcare access is crucial and is essential in Nigeria.
MOMs Initiative and LifeBank
One essential component of reducing maternal mortality is blood. Every year, Nigeria needs more than 1.8 million units of blood, especially for women giving birth. Donated blood units serve these mothers in need to help avoid further complications during the birthing process. Blood can be lifesaving for the mother and the child.
The MOMs Initiative was created in 2019 to advance and aid in healthy pregnancy and childbirth processes. The Initiative wants to ensure women, children and communities can live a long healthy life through access to medical products and blood donations. The MOMs Initiative uses its capital to invest in maternal health in order to have the greatest impact on saving mothers and children.
LifeBank is an organization launched in 2018 that allows access to essential healthcare products to hospitals across Africa. LifeBank uses a unique way to transport blood through motorcycles, boats and drones to avoid traffic delays. The organization responds to around the clock deliveries. The blood can only be accessed by the intended recipient and is stored in refrigerated boxes.
LifeBank has delivered more than 23,000 pints of blood from blood banks and hospitals. To date, this organization has saved more than 10,000 lives. LifeBank developed drone deliveries to accommodate individuals in need in rural communities who face a difficult challenge accessing healthcare facilities.
Expanding Services to Save More Lives
With the assistance of the MOMs Initiative, LifeBank will be able to expand its services into other African countries, including Ethiopia and Kenya. LifeBank has expanded its services to include oxygen delivery as well. LifeBank continues to be innovative by having digital tracking for their delivery methods. Through its creative delivery methods, LifeBank became the first African-led company to deliver healthcare products through drone flight systems.
The partnership between the MOMs Initiative and LifeBank has created a future where more children will be able to grow up with their mothers. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death in Nigeria, but these companies make it possible for blood donations to reach those in need. Thanks to the MOMs Initiative in Nigeria, mothers who were not able to receive blood transfusions before due to a limited supply of blood are now able to receive them and medical supplies from a refrigerated box on a motorcycle.
– Ann Ciancia
Photo: Flickr