Maternal, Child Mortality, MSF Inaugurates Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics And Newborn Care Facility in Borno

Maternal, Child mortality, MSF inaugurates Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care facility in Borno

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF), has inauguated a Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Center in Maidugurii, the Borno state capital to the material and child mortality in the state

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Managing Director of MSF Operation centre, Dr. Catherine Van Overloop said ” it is with great honor and immense gratitude that I stand before you today as we inaugurate the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) referral hospital here in Maiduguri, Borno State”.

“Your presence here today is a testament to the strength and unity of this community and your unwavering support for improving healthcare in our region..We are gathered here with a shared mission: to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This hospital represents a beacon of hope for mothers and their newborns, ensuring they receive the care they need at the most critical times. Every life saved here will be a step towards a brighter, healthier future for Maiduguri and beyond”, she said.

Dr Overloop said “when we first envisioned this project in 2018, we were driven by the pressing need to address the high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality in Maiduguri or Borno state. We chose this location not only for its significant healthcare challenges but also for the resilience and spirit of its people. The overwhelming support we have received from the community, local government, and international partners reinforces our belief in this project.”.

The MD said ” we are confident that the CEmONC referral hospital will have the desired impact. With advanced medical equipment, skilled healthcare professionals, and a commitment to providing the highest standard and quality of care, we will see a significant reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality. This hospital will be a sanctuary for mothers and their babies, a place where every life is valued and protected.”.

Also speaking, the Borno state Commissioner for health, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana said “The 2018 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicated an MMR of 1,176 deaths per 100,000 live births in Borno, compared to the national average of 576 at the time. The same report mentioned an NMR of 64 deaths per 1,000 live births in Borno, exceeding the national average of 39. These numbers signify a critical need for improved newborn care and interventions to prevent preventable deaths. The Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBBC) is our strategic response to these alarming statistics.”

He said ” the establishment of this Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care Center is not just a response to an urgent need but also a proactive step towards a future where no mother or child in Borno State is left without the critical care they need. This center will provide a full spectrum of services, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and neonatal care. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by highly trained professionals dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.”

“It is with great honor and immense joy that I stand before you today to mark the inauguration of the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) Center, a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health in Borno State. This center represents a beacon of hope and a testament to our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly mothers and their newborns”, Prof.Gana said.

The commissioner also said “we are also in discussions with potential donors and technical support partners to implement innovative and novel approaches like the Safer Birth Bundle of Care (SBBC). This initiative builds upon 12 years of research and development from Tanzania and Norway, incorporating over 140 peer-reviewed studies. The SBBC consists of proven training and clinical tools for improved labor care and newborn resuscitation, and integrates strategies for continuous quality improvement (CQI). This evidence-based bundled approach has shown an impressive 50% reduction in maternal and newborn deaths when implemented in 30 high-burden hospitals in Tanzania.”

He expressed gratitude Governor Baba Gana Zulum, for his visionary leadership and relentless dedication to the advancement of healthcare in our state. He also expressed appreciation to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) for their invaluable partnership. .

In her remarks, Dr. Ximena Campos, Deputy Cell Manager, MSF-Operation Centre Brussels said “the genesis of this endeavor can be traced back to 2018, when Médecins Sans Frontières, driven by an unwavering commitment to combat maternal mortality, set the wheels in motion. Despite the hurdles, including the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that temporarily halted our progress, our determination remained unshaken. As the saying goes, ‘The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.’ We refused to stay stagnant, and today, we stand here, reaping the fruits of our perseverance and determination.”

” In the interim, we focused on supporting maternities in primary healthcare centers (PHCs). Today, we proudly support safe deliveries in five PHCs across Maiduguri. The Kushari Referral Hospital has been built to receive referrals of complicated cases from these PHCs, following specific medical criteria. This facility is designed to address the most critical needs, ensuring that mothers and their newborns receive the highest standard of care during the most vulnerable times”, Dr Campos said

Dr Campos said ” our vision for the Kushari Referral Hospital is to elevate it to the status of a center of excellence. We are adopting a phased approach, commencing with 30 beds—20 for maternal care and 10 for neonatal care. As we progress, our aim is to expand to a full capacity of 92 beds. This incremental strategy ensures that each phase is executed with meticulous precision and the utmost care, setting a high standard for the future of this facility.”.

” it is important to recognize that this endeavor is not solely an MSF initiative. We are guests here, and it is in our nature to eventually move on to other areas in need. As the African proverb goes, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk with others.” We are walking this journey with our worthy partners, the Borno State Government, who will ultimately take over and run this facility in the next five years.”, The Deputy Cell Manager, added.