A Nigerian Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadiza Galadanci, has shared her research innovations on the treatment of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH).

PPH is excessive bleeding and loss of blood after childbirth. It means losing more than half a litre of blood within 24 hours of childbirth.

Galadanci, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Health Sciences, Bayero University Kano, shared her research innovations at the 2023 Goalkeepers event at the ongoing 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The innovations are a calibrated obstetric drape used in E-MOTIVE study to detect excessive blood loss and a 15-minute IV iron infusion to treat severe anemia in pregnant women.

These innovations aim to save two million lives by 2030, addressing maternal and child mortality issues worldwide.

Speaking at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Pavilion at UN headquarters in New York, she told the audience she could save more lives by being a medical researcher than being an obstetrician.

According to her, a simple drape at the edge of the bed can see a fast and accurate measurement of collected blood, noting that in a busy labour ward, this can be the difference between life and death.

“Imagine a world where these treatments are available in every one room clinic, every labour ward and every hospital, how many mothers would be saved. That’s the work that is left for us to do.”

Galadanci, who is the first female Professor of gynecology in the northern Nigeria, has received global recognition from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for her innovations in improving maternal and newborn mortality.

Galadanci, said the high burden of maternal deaths in Nigeria challenged her to come up with the solution to help reduce the suffering of women and reduce newborn mortality.

She shared the experience of her cousin and other women , saying, I have watched life leave a woman’s body as she bleeds out while given birth.

“I’ve seen women, wishing the death of their children to save them from the cycle of pain and poverty, they had to endure themselves.

“These women are my neighbours, they’re my friends and even my family.

“Not everyone is so lucky to have a family member who is an obstetrician. I couldn’t stop thinking about how unfair that was,’’ Galadanchi said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria