The gesture which is presented under the project name “Impact Health Project”, was to reduce maternal mortality by improving the quality of real health service provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formation and improving quality of service.

The items are to help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology in the state.

The items donated include 30,000 doses of IPTp-SP (Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) and 10,000 Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, to promote the prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

Others items are 275 android smartphones to Oyo State Ministry of health for improving maternal health response aside from training of 370 health workers at the primary healthcare centers across the state.

The Project Lead, HACEY Health Initiative, Kemi Omole, while speaking after a brief ceremony held in Ibadan, said the organization has “always been particular about increasing the life, livelihood of children and mothers, girls and women and this is no exception.

“So, anything at all that helps to improve the maternal health outcomes is what we always venture into and this is like an opportunity for us to do that as we have always done”, she said.

On the choice of Oyo State for the donation, Omole said, “We have had a long-standing relationship with Oyo State going back to about 13years, we have several projects that we have been implementing here and I think it also has to do with the kind of receptiveness we get here.

“The state government welcomes people and we don’t get that harsh treatment. At times you go to some states and the kind of reception you get is not good enough but Oyo state has been very receptive to us.”

The Founder and Managing Director, IPRD Solutions, Dr. Keith Hanna, said the organization is excited to be working with other stakeholders in developing and deploying impact health, stating that it is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the technical team highly experienced in developing and deploying advance digital solutions across the world.

According to him, “We developed impact health working with majorly international health care organizations, world-class researchers and many software partners. We believe it’s crucial to be close to where our software is deployed. We spent like two years listening to the needs of your state, working very closely with HACEY Health Initiative, who have been tremendous partners on the ground.”

The Co-founder, HACEY Health Initiative, Mr. Isaiah Owolabi, in his remarks, explained that the “Impact Health project is a health intervention of HACEY Health Initiative, supported by our partners: Intellectual Property and Research Development (IPRD) Solutions and Argusoft, which aims to reduce maternal health services provision, improving health data collection and management system towards providing accurate evidence to inform policy formations and improving quality of service.

“The Impact Health Platform comprises mobile and web-enabled applications which am to improve coverage and quality of healthcare delivery, supervision, support, and motivation for providers, especially in hard to reach communities

“The goal of the Impact Health Project is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health (RMNCH) service provision in tertiary, secondary, and primary health institutions and local communities by employing the use of digital and mobile health (mHealth) technology.

“HACEY Health Initiative’s Impact health project has supported in the collection of health information across 21 local governments in the state, covering over 60,000 households using the Family Health Survey mobile application. We have also trained 350 health workers and officials across 95 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in implementing LGAs on the use of the Quick ANC application for the administration and capturing of IPTp-SP and malaria rapid diagnostic tests.”

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Oladipo, on his part, said the state is open to development partners in its bid to scale up the health of the residents.

Oladipo who was represented by Dr. Oyewole Lawal, said, “The support from development partners supplement what government is already doing. This government has open doors policy that fosters partnership with any agency that can support the state.

“The state cannot do it alone, and we feel that, if we have such partnership, it will improve not only healthcare service delivery but education, agriculture, and every other thing.”

He assured that the government has integrated supporting supervision, quarterly supervision across all health facilities in the o monitor their activities and see how facilities are managed.

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji, expressed appreciation of the state to the donor, stating that the support has over time helped to complement the effort of the state government in improving the healthcare service delivery of the people.

He assured that the state will make good use of the facility in a way that would encourage more investment by supporting partners and donor agencies.

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To commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed every November 25^th, HACEY Health Initiative, through its StopCut project hosted a conference https://youtu.be/Lqtb2pHq-lk to launch a report on FGM laws, research on the knowledge, prevalence, and contributory factors of FGM alongside a video documentary.

The project launched a report carried out by a team of law firms across Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda to compare FGM Laws in the states of Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo in Nigeria (the Nigerian FGM/C Laws”), with those of other parts of the country, particularly that of Lagos State and the Federal capital territory, Abuja, being the major commercial cities in Nigeria on one hand and, Kenya and Uganda on the other.

Findings from the report revealed that despite the FGM laws enacted by the states, the practice is still alarmingly high. It also identifies the gaps in the Nigerian FGM Laws and proffers recommendations based on the gaps identified.

Meanwhile, the research launched revealed that over 50 percent of women of child-bearing age in the three project states – Osun (76.8 percent), Oyo (51.8 percent), and Ekiti (52.6 percent), have been mutilated.

It further revealed a 3.3 percent and 10 percent reduction in the prevalence of the practice in Oyo and Ekiti states, compared to the 2016-2017MICS study. However, there was a nine percent increase in the prevalence of FGM in Osun State in comparison. While gains have been made in the reduction of the practice of FGM, the prevalence in the three states remains significant, indicating the need for intensified efforts towards the abandonment of this practice.

HACEY in 2020 initiated the StopCut project in 3 of the states with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria – Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state, with the aim to protect The research revealed that traditional circumcisers known as ‘Oloola’ in Yorubaland, healthcare practitioners, and traditional birth attendants have been responsible for the practice to date.

The project through advocacy, capacity building, research, and education strategies in communities engaged and trained state and community key stakeholders to

At least 200 million women and girls in 31 countries around the world are living with the results of the dangerous practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a report by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The practice is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Most of the 31 countries where FGM is practiced have legislated against it. However, until social norms change, the practice continues in secret. HACEY Health Initiative is educating and empowering communities to end FGM.

The video documentary is a compilation of survivor stories; reporting their experiences, and effects of FGM.

Watch the video documentary here.

Read more about the stopcut project and follow us on social media for updates.

Written by Titilayo Fakeye

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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is violence perpetrated against women and girls. It is the total or partial removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons and Nigeria records over 20 million women and girls who have been exposed to this inhumane practice, with many more at risk.

Most of the 31 countries where FGM is practiced have legislated against it. However, until social norms change, the practice continues in secret. HACEY Health Initiative is educating and empowering communities to end FGM.

Hence, to commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed every November 25^th, HACEY Health Initiative, through its StopCut project is set to host a conference;

– To launch the report on the state of our laws on FGM.

– To premiere the StopCut documentary.

– To bring key stakeholders together to discuss current progress in ending FGM, existing barriers, available opportunities, and required strategies towards ending FGM by 2030.

– To share insight from our female genital mutilation research efforts.

The conference which will have physical and virtual access will feature panelist discussions on Adopting Laws and policies to end FGM by 2030 and Unleashing the power of stories in promoting community action to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It is strongly believed that the knowledge and resources gathered during the conference would play a crucial role in identifying strategies to promote actions to end FGM across prevalent areas in Nigeria.

HACEY in 2020 initiated the StopCut project in 3 of the states with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria – Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state, with the aim to protect women and girls from FGM by creating awareness on existing protective laws and policies, and promoting their effective implementation.

The project through advocacy, capacity building, research, and education strategies in communities engaged and trained state and community key stakeholders to advocate for the enforcement of FGM laws and policies, created awareness on FGM, and promoted increased reporting of FGM incidents. It has trained 96 media personnel, engaged 274 traditional and community leaders in 72 Communities in Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state.

Read more about the stopcut project and follow us on social media for updates.

Written by Titilayo Fakeye

The post HACEY TO HOST STOPCUT END FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) CONFERENCE appeared first on HACEY.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is an insect-borne disease caused by mosquitos. Every year, around 210 million people are afflicted with Malaria, with 440,000 people dying due to the disease. Worst of all, young children and pregnant women are mostly affected by the disease. Malaria can be transmitted by blood through the use of shared needles or syringes and through an organ transplant or blood transfusion.

Symptoms:

• Cold with shivering, fever
• Headaches and vomiting
• Seizures sometimes occur in younger people with the disease
• Sweats, followed by a return to normal temperature, with tiredness
• Impaired consciousness and multiple convulsions
• Deep breathing and respiratory distress

Prevention:

• Use a mosquito net over the bed if your bedroom isn’t air-conditioned.
• Spray insect repellants on your skin when outdoors.
• Keep your home and surroundings clean without any wastes or stagnant water.
• Mosquitoes get active during the night and pose a higher risk, therefore all windows and doors should be closed. 

A pregnant woman should:

• Use long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
• Visit the antenatal clinic as scheduled and make use of Intermittent Preventive treatment.
• Ensure her surroundings are clean and clear of stagnant water.

Facts and Figures:

• Malaria is a common and life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum).
• Globally, there were 228 million malaria cases in 2018 (WHO, 2020).
• Africa bears the largest burden of Malaria, with about 93% cases of Malaria and a 94% mortality rate (WHO, 2020).
• The most vulnerable group are pregnant women and under – 5 children.
• Malaria kills; however, it is preventable and curable.

Treatment:

• Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) is an alternate way of quickly checking the diagnosis of malaria infection by detecting specific antigens in a person’s blood. 
• Artemisinin Combination Therapy: The main goal of treatment is to eliminate Plasmodium parasites from a patient’s bloodstream as quickly as possible to avoid an uncomplicated case escalating to severe disease or death. It is a combination of two or more medications that function in distinct ways against the parasite.
• Long-Lasting Treated Nets: An insecticide-treated net (ITN) is typically a bed net that has been treated with a safe, residual insecticide to kill and repel parasitic mosquitos.

HACEY Health Initiative is a development organization focused on improving the health and productivity of vulnerable and underserved populations in Africa with our focus on women and girls. Read more about our work and follow us on social media for updates.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu

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Follow the guidance on staying alert and safe (social distancing) and avoid anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus. If in your third trimester (more than 28 weeks pregnant), you should be particularly attentive to social distancing.

What should I do if I develop symptoms of coronavirus while pregnant?

If you show symptoms and suspect you may have contacted COVID-19, inform your doctor or midwife immediately that you have the symptoms. If symptoms are getting worse, this may be a sign that you are developing a more severe infection and require urgent care.

What effect will coronavirus have on my baby if I am diagnosed with the infection?

If you have the virus, it is unlikely to cause problems with your baby’s development, there is also no evidence yet to show that coronavirus infection in early pregnancy leads to miscarriage.

Transmission of the coronavirus from a woman to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth is not common. To date, the virus has not been found in breastmilk nor the water surrounding the baby in the womb.

Can I touch and hold my newborn baby if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

Yes. Close contact and early, exclusive breastfeeding helps a baby to grow. You should wash your hands before and after touching your baby and keep all surfaces clean. You should always wear a medical mask, during any contact with the baby.

After delivery, should a baby be immediately placed skin-to-skin and breastfed if the mother is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19?

Yes. Immediate and continued skin-to-skin care should be encouraged, this will help balance the baby’s temperature. Skin-to-skin also helps the mother and child to bond better, and encourage early breastfeeding which also reduces mortality.

Mothers should stay safe by taking simple preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places, close contact with people, regular washing of hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub, coughing into bent elbow or tissue and disposing of the tissue immediately.

For more information on COVID-19, check here and here.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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Everyone in Bomo village agreed that life had been unfair to Amina. Forced into early marriage by her parents in a weak attempt to ‘provide’ for her family and uphold their honour, Amina had to give up her dreams of becoming a Nurse despite being the best student in the village’s only primary school. After marriage, Amina became pregnant. Unfortunately, Amina developed a fistula during her delivery — she was delivering at home and went through a long, difficult labour. Eventually, the baby did not survive.

Amina has been suffering from Fistula for many years, not knowing about treatment or having access to it.

Obstetric Fistula

According to World Health Organization, Amina is one of the 50,000 to 100,000 women globally affected by Obstetric Fistula annually. Obstetric Fistula is an abnormal opening between a woman’s genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum. The development of obstetric fistula is directly linked to one of the major causes of maternal mortality: obstructed labour.

It can occur between the vagina and rectum, ureter, or bladder and results in incontinence of urine or faeces. Complications may include depression, infertility, and social isolation.

Causes 

An Obstetric Fistula occurs when a mother has had a prolonged and obstructed labour, with no access to emergency medical care, such as a C-section. During this type of labour, the mother’s contractions continually push the baby’s head against her pelvis. As a result, soft tissues caught between the baby’s head and the pelvic bone become compressed, restricting normal blood flow. This accounts for 76 to 97% of Obstetric Fistula occurrence.

Without an adequate blood supply, tissue sections will die off, resulting in holes known as “Fistulae”. It appears between the mother’s vagina and her bladder or rectum. These holes (Fistula) will cause incontinence, and if left untreated, the woman will uncontrollably leak urine, stool, or sometimes both, for the rest of her life.

Also, because the mother often labours in pain for days, her baby usually dies as a result. Thus, obstetric fistula is a double-edged pain for mothers – physical, emotional and psychological pain. Stillborn birth happens 85% to 100% of the time in this scenario.

The United Nations Population Fund has labelled Obstetric Fistula as one of the most severe and tragic childbirth injuries.

Prevalence

According to research, more than 2 million young women live with untreated Obstetric Fistula in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa today. In developing nations, women who suffer from obstetric fistulae are under 30, while 50-80% of women under 20, like Amina, develop obstetric fistulae in resource-poor countries. The youngest patients are 12–13 years old.

According to a careful study, Obstetric Fistula is very common throughout the world, but the percentage dwindled in the late 19th century during the rise of gynaecology. In addition, this era experienced the introduction of safe childbirth practices, especially deliveries at local hospitals instead of the home. This drastically reduced rates of obstructed labour and obstetric fistulae in Europe and North America. The condition is now entirely preventable and correctible. 

The majority of Obstetric Fistula cases occur in poor rural areas of developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa such as (Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia) and much of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal).

Symptoms & Effects of Obstetric Fistula

Obstetric Fistula symptoms are urinary incontinence or faecal incontinence, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, repeated vaginal or urinary tract infections, and irritation/pain in the vagina or surrounding areas. Acid from the urine, faeces, and blood causes severe burn wounds on the legs from the continuous dripping. The leaking causes nerve damage and results in loss of mobility.

Most times, women limit their intake of liquid and water to avoid dripping, leading to dehydration and worsening their condition. If these symptoms are not treated, it can lead to kidney failure, which inevitably leads to death. 

Obstetric Fistula also leads to social ostracization and stigmatization. In several rural areas, e.g. Burkina Faso, this condition is viewed as a divine punishment and curse for sexual misconduct rather than a medical condition.

Often, these women or young girls are isolated and sentenced to living in secluded huts and abandoned because of the odour caused by the infection. They are also divorced by their husbands, shunned by their community, and experience shame and social segregation.

Despair, depression, shame, fear of future pregnancy are some of the psychological effects women suffer from Fistula. In addition, it causes severe mental depression, and thoughts of suicide are also visible to escape the shame and emotional torture.

Repair and Prevention

However, due to advances in science and technology, most obstetric fistulas are surgically correctable. Therefore, there is a need for the government in areas where obstetric Fistula cases are prevalent, particularly in Africa and Asia, to create policies that grant women in rural areas access to free medical treatment.

Also, good delivery services and professional medical personnel should be readily available in rural areas to save the unborn child and prevent the occurrence of Obstetric Fistula.

In the same vein, the government should introduce pregnant mothers to programs that help improve their nutrition. Family planning campaigns should also be improved upon in rural areas where having many children is a norm.

Most importantly, child marriage should be avoided and frowned at, attaching a fine to such crime. This is because the age of the first pregnancy is one of the factors that cause an Obstetric Fistula.

The girl child should be provided with access to quality education, not early marriage. Of course, early marriage will hurt her future, and the possibility of Obstetric Fistula’s occurrence will have damaging physical, mental, and social effects on the child and her future.               

Written by Bamidele Oyewumi.

Edited by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

Read more about our work here. Follow us on social media.

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HACEY Health Initiative thus launched the CBA COVID-19 response program. The program was implemented to ease the difficulty of community birth attendants in underserved communities in Ogun State by providing them with adequate information, hygiene materials and training to reduce the risk of contracting the virus and ensuring client safety while providing maternal health services. During the program, 200 Community birth attendants were engaged, and 200 community birth attendants were trained.

The training taught the community birth attendants about making COVID-19 hygiene prevention materials such as disinfectant (bleach and Izal) and hand wash. The birth attendants also learnt how to protect themselves and their clients from COVID-19, the signs, symptoms and preventive measures to ensure their safety and client safety. Participants were also trained on how to produce facemasks using fabrics, needles and thread. At the end of the training, each participant was given resource materials (fabric, sewing equipment, chemicals and branded bottles) for continuous production.

Due to the CBA-COVID-19 response program, Community Birth Attendants are now willing to follow all COVID-19 prevention guidelines. In addition, with the resource materials given to them, CBAs can now produce their hygiene materials, and community birth attendants’ health-seeking behaviours are improved.

Read more here and here.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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Menstrual hygiene is an under-discussed topic, especially at the household and community level. In Nigeria, some cultural and religious norms are associated with menstruation, some of which include not allowing menstruating women and girls to partake in certain activities and not permitting them to prepare some kinds of foods.

These norms often encourage the stigmatization of these women and girls directly and indirectly. When girls are on their period, it often hampers their productivity, as some experience pain while some cannot properly manage their menstrual hygiene due to lack of resources.

According to UNICEF and WHO, only 29% of the Nigerian population has access to basic sanitation services. Information on menstrual hygiene management in Nigeria is limited. Menstrual hygiene is a big issue and should be addressed accordingly. Below are highlights of certain problems and recommendations:

Firstly, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) has been identified as a major issue in Nigeria. UNICEF reports that about 26.5% (approximately 50.3 million) of the population use improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities in Nigeria.

A critical tool to promoting menstrual hygiene is by ensuring the availability of clean water at strategic places such as schools, market places and other public domains across urban and rural areas.

Secondly, the cost of purchasing a pack of sanitary pads in Nigeria is relatively high for low-income earners and young dependent women. Due to this reason, some girls prefer to use leaves or rags to manage their period flow.

This, in turn, affects the productivity of these women. Some girls are unable to go to school while some women are unable to carry out their businesses effectively during their menstrual periods. When women are unable to contribute to economic activities for a number of days, it hampers the growth of the economy. Therefore, it is recommended that the government subsidizes the cost of sanitary pads to ensure affordability for all women and girls. Also, sanitary pads should be made available at public places for free.

Thirdly, stigmatization, which is often encouraged through certain cultural norms remains an issue which should be addressed.

Increased public awareness, sensitization, and education at the grassroots level are necessary to improve the knowledge of individuals on myths and norms that segregate women on their menstrual periods. Menstrual hygiene management should also be prioritized to ensure women and girls are effective during their menstrual periods, for improved productivity.

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