The Empowering Impact of Ultrasound in Pregnancy: Wellbeing Foundation Africa and GE HealthCare Join Hands To Drive Change

PRESS RELEASE

The Empowering Impact of Ultrasound in Pregnancy: Wellbeing Foundation Africa and GE HealthCare Join Hands To Drive Change

This initiative aims to empower healthcare providers with the tools to deliver better care to expectant mothers and their unborn babies

LAGOS, Nigeria, September 27, 2023/ -- The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and GE HealthCare (www.GEHealthcare.in/) have taken a significant step towards improving maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria by signing a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to equip midwives and nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use ultrasound machines.

This initiative aims to empower healthcare providers with the tools to deliver better care to expectant mothers and their unborn babies. As part of this collaboration, GE HealthCare has donated eight Vscan ultrasound devices.

These compact, portable devices are well-suited for use in resource-limited settings, where accessing traditional ultrasound machines may be challenging.

The agreement was ceremonially signed by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, and Mr Eyong Ebai of GE HealthCare at The Sofitel Hotel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In addition to the donation, WBFA and GE HealthCare are conducting comprehensive training for nurses and midwives which will impact over 96,000 mothers this year alone. These training programs in the states of Lagos, Abuja, and Kwara, include theoretical and practical sessions. Participants will receive hands-on training on the use of the Vscan device, covering basic principles of ultrasound technology, image acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and even basic obstetric ultrasound scans.

According to the World Health Organization, the Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria in 2017, was estimated at 917 per 100 000 live births; it increased by nearly 14% in 2020 to reach 1047 deaths 2 with evidence suggesting that the increase in rates is due to three common signs of delay: in making the decision to seek maternal healthcare, in locating and arriving at a medical facility, and in receiving skilled pregnancy care when a woman gets to the health facility.

Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa said "This collaboration between WBFA and GE HealthCare is a significant milestone in our mission to promote the wellbeing of expectant mothers across Nigeria. With the power of ultrasound technology, we can now detect warning signs early, ensuring the health and safety of both mothers and babies. By providing Vscan devices, delivering comprehensive training, and raising awareness within communities, WBFA and GE HealthCare is working towards healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and brighter futures for mothers and babies across Nigeria.”

Eyong Ebai General Manager for Sub-Sahara-Africa, GE HealthCare said "We are proud to support the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in their mission to improve maternal and fetal outcomes in Nigeria. This will enable critical healthcare services in remote areas; GE HealthCare’s involvement supports our strategy in Africa to providing healthcare professionals with the latest technology, we are equipping them with the means to detect potential complications early, ultimately saving lives." 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GE Healthcare.

Media Contacts:

GE HealthCare 

Duraid Adnan 

duraid.adnan@ge.com 

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa

Zelia Bukhari

zelia.bukhari@wbfafrica.org

About GE HealthCare:

GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 100 years, GE HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care pathway. Together our Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care from prevention and screening, to diagnosis, treatment, therapy, and monitoring. We are an $18 billion business with 51,000 employees working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

SOURCE

GE Healthcare

The Glass Shatterer

 The Glass Shatterer

An original Story by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

He was born dumb, but his glass-breaking wail registered at 105 decibels, almost as loud as a jackhammer shattered glasses to smithereens.

What is the power behind his glass shattering voice?

Ugoma had been barren for over a decade and became the object of derision mocked by her mother in-law and scorned by her drunkard husband who often beat her at the slightest provocation whenever he was drunk. He was cheating on her by sleeping with other women to have children, but none of them got pregnant and he blamed it all on the miserable Ugoma, he and his mother called a witch.

Eventually Ugoma got pregnant in the twelfth year of their marriage and rejoiced. "HALLELUJAH!" Olu ebube Jehovah!" She exclaimed in her mother tongue of the  Igbo language that it was the wonderful miracle of Almighty God. But her husband and mother in-law and others called it a strange pregnancy. He even accused her of sleeping with another man. But Ugoma's joy became sour when she gave birth to a dumb male child. Her husband and mother in-law and mockers laughed at her and called her child, imbecile.

One stormy night, her husband returned home drunk and because she was still not done cooking what he was expecting to have for dinner, he pounced on her,  beating her mercilessly. Their son who was now almost a year old suddenly screamed as he wailed and the  deafening sound of his piercing voice shattered the glass cups, glass bottles and class windows in the entire house. His parents shaking in fear and trembling in shock as they gazed at him. He hugged his mother and glared angrily at his father who was dumbfounded.

What happened next?

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

https://shadowandact.com/author/MichaelChima

©The Glass Shatterer. All rights reserved. No copying, duplication or reproduction of any part of the content and context of this story without the authorization and permission of the author. Plagiarization will attract litigation.

#God

#Jehovah

#Igbo

#scream

#mother #Sound 

#mystery 

#pregnancy 

#Marriage 

#cheating 

#domesticviolence 

#miracles 

Can A #Transgender Woman Get Pregnant?

Can A #Transgender Woman Get Pregnant?

Trans Women and Fertility: What We Know, What We Don't Know, and What You Can Do - Family Equality

On average, transgender women want to become parents at the same rates of other LGBTQ+ people 

The research shows that 97% of transgender adults think that fertility should be discussed prior to transition (no surprises there) and 51% of transgender women wish they had preserved their fertility before transitioning.

Only 3% of transgender people actually do preserve their fertility, and it does seem liketransgender women in general may have lower sperm quality and quantity even before starting hormone therapy.

Hormone therapy contributes to loss of volume, concentration, motility (ability to move), and total count of sperm, even after you stop taking it. 

https://www.familyequality.org/2019/10/02/trans-women-and-fertility-what-we-know-what-dont-know-and-what-you-can-do/