₦airaland Forum

You just displayed crass ignorance which shows that you know nothing about Her Excellency!
Try to follow Her Excellency’s social media and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s so you can be better informed of her sustained continued intervention commitments all year round.

Wiseandtrue:
It's time for election, these ones don remember politics again

As the curtain closes on World Interfaith Harmony Week, Kwara State continues to be a beacon of hope and a shining example of the peaceful religious relations and harmonious coexistence that can be achieved amongst Nigeria’s multicultural and diverse population.

Notably but not unusually, it is heartwarming to witness the Former Kwara State First Lady, in the person of Her Excellency Toyin Ojora Saraki, Wife of the Former and 13th President of the Senate, pay tribute to Kwara State Faith Leaders and Elders, in honour of World Interfaith Week on her widely followed social media pages where she stated:
“Harmony in a world in crisis….This World Interfaith Harmony Week, I specially appreciate the good people and faith leaders of our very dear Kwara State of Harmony!”

Informing her readers on the illustrious history of the state, she further wrote:

At its creation on 27th May 1967, the state was made up of the former Ilorin and Kabba provinces of the then Northern Region and was initially named the West Central State but later changed to “Kwara”, a local name for the River Niger.

“Kwara State is one of the 36 states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Kwara State with a population over 2.5 million people shares her boundaries with the Republic of Benin at her West and the Niger River at her North.”

“The main ethnic groups in Kwara are Fulanis, Nupes, Barubas, and Yoruba, while the 5 languages spoken in Kwara as the main indigenous languages are Yoruba, Hausa, Tapa, Ebira and Bariba.”

“Major towns In Kwara State include the capital Ilorin, Offa, and Jebba, located on the Niger River. Other cities include Patigi, Erin-lIe, lIoffa, Adeleke Igbewere, Ejidongari, Osi, Lafiagi, Gure, Afon, Kaiama, Isanlu-lsin, Omu-Aran, Egbejila, lIota, Iponrin, and Igbaja.”

“Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, sits on the boundary between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south and has large populations of adherents of both faiths; whose intentionally and largely peaceful co-existence has truly earned the state its epithet of ‘The State of Harmony’.”

Sharing the core vision of her continued philanthropic dedication to human-centred development in the state, she stated:
“It is indeed the state of harmony within Kwara State that inspired, conceived and birthed the establishment of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Alaafia Kwara Initiative to promote the health and wellbeing of every woman, man, child, youth, and the elderly in every community across the state, and from birth to age.”

“We continue to work together, to promote and protect Kwara State’s harmony as a shining example of the peaceful religious relations and harmonious coexistence that can be fostered amongst Nigeria’s multicultural and diverse population, for the betterment of all.”

Indeed, the key to Kwara States ethnic, religious and social stability and is exemplified by the willingness of its religious, cultural and philanthropic leaders to provide a blanket of safety, hope and genuine care for the citizenry. 19th Century American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver once declared “Where there is no vision, there is no hope”. This saying rings even more truer today with the forthright and consistent vision of Her Excellency Toyin Ojora Saraki and her Wellbeing Foundation Africa who brought hope to Mrs. Ebunoluwa Akintola, who successfully delivered a set of triplets; two boys and a girl at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Mrs Akintola was a regular attendee of the WBFA Mamacare360 antenatal classes which takes place across 14 healthcare facilities within Kwara State and benefitted more than 14,000 expectant mothers in the last year alone.

The birth of healthy triplets is a true blessing but can also come with its associated weight of difficulties, especially with the current dire economic realities within Nigeria. In furtherance of the The Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s guiding principles of ‘Wellbeing for All’, Mr. and Mrs. Akintola received from the WBFA Kwara State team, baby gift items, monetary donations, and breast pump manufactured by one of the Foundations key partners, Medela on behalf of Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki. The donation was made in the presence of the matron, senior hospital management representative, nurses, and the WBFA team at the NICU of UITH.

Ensuring that no stone is left unturned and that follow up on the Akintola family remains consistent the WBFA midwives and program team have through the Foundation’s digital midwife engaged the mother in one-on-one session to induct her in the Wellbeing Foundation Africa/Medela Cares Lactation program, which is developed for mothers of newborns in the NICU. This is aimed at improving the health and survival of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by increasing the dose of own mother’s milk via optimal lactation care for the mother and breastfeeding transition techniques.

Both mother and babies have been discharged by the excellent neonatal Intensive Care Unit medical team at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and are doing well. These cases of hope and compassion such as the safe delivery, survival and support of the Akintola triplets, rendered with self-effacing empathy, not only demonstrates the impact that the Wellbeing Foundation Africa through its flagship MamaCare360 classes have on mothers by encouraging them to feel empowered and prepared for delivery and care of their newborn but once again demonstrates the commitment of Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki to actualising a compassionate culture of caring for the sustained peace, progress, health and wellbeing of every Kwaran man, woman, youth and child.

Prince Shola Oniru Reacts To X-rated Video Of Him At Private Event
... Says he’s not Saraki’s son

Top Lagos businessman and socialite, Shola Oniru has finally reacted to the purported viral video that surfaced online a few days ago, showing him in a compromising state, with unclad lady at a private event.

In a brief and precise statement released by Shola, he owned up to the video and apologized to the general public and those who have been linked to the viral video.

He also stated categorically that he was mistaken for the son of a two-term governor of Kwara state and president of the 8th senate, Dr Olubukola Saraki, and apologized accordingly.

While condemning the reckless and insensitive guise of whoever may have leaked the video, he appealed to the general public to respect his privacy and of those that may have been affected by the malicious video, at this time.

He also vowed to deploy every legal means to bring those behind the circulation of the video, to book.
Read his statement below;

“I, Shola Oniru am aware of a viral video circulating on the social media in which I am being mistaken for the son of the former Governor of Kwara State (and past President of the 8th Nigeria National Assembly) Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, MBBS, CON

“This Public Notice is to correct this viral and false representation that has caused massive embarrassment to my family and the Saraki Family. I sincerely apologise to the former Governor, his son, the Saraki Family at large and my Family for the embarrassment and damage this episode has caused. The video was taken while I was at a private event with my friends and was never meant to be circulated.

“I condemn the circulation of the video and will explore all legal avenue to ensure those that circulated the video are brought to book.

“Finally, I implore the public to kindly respect the privacy of all persons that are affected by malicious circulation of the video”, he wrote.

PRESS RELEASE


Rebuttal: Lewd Viral Video Not Saraki’s Son - Onaiwu

The public has been advised to discountenance a video of lewd expressions and vanity that hit the social media space earlier today, which mischief makers have purportedly claimed that the individual is a son of former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

In a Press Statement today, issued from the office of the Director General of the Saraki National Media Group, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, said, that the viral video is handiwork of sneaky and deluded persons, who are probably sponsored by certain failed politicians who are scared of the steadily rising profile of Dr. Saraki as a leading light of Democracy, locally and internationally.

“What I want to tell you categorically, is that, the individual in that video is neither Saraki’s son nor relation and so, he cannot be his son by any means or in any way.”

“Sonship in any family is by consanguinity and birth. In this case, how can someone who’s not even related by blood and was not an adopted child be inserted into a family by rogue media trending?”, Onaiwu queried.

Furthermore, “I enjoin the media to cross-check their facts or do basic information inquisition to determine facts before rushing to ‘break lies instead of wholesome news.”

“This will help to avoid the embarrassing realization that hearsay does not amount to truth, no matter the rumour industry perspectivizations of a blatant falsehood”, he advised.

The statement, therefore cautioned the general public to be wary of uncivilized attempts by unscrupulous individuals and desperate politicians who thought to tarnish the image of the Saraki family, widely renown for respect, decency, discretion and high moral standards that celebrates pious values in all things.

Earl Onaiwu called on the nation’s security agencies to urgently investigate and unmask the perpetrators and sponsors of the cyber-attack on the Saraki family and warned that the culprits have to brace up for legal redress.

Timely healthcare vital to reduce mother, child mortality — HE Toyin Saraki

As part of efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths in the country, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, says no woman should be subjected to harmful practices during labour, childbirth and at early postnatal period.

Ojora-Saraki stated this on Friday during the maiden edition of PUNCH Digital Town Hall with the theme, “Strengthening the Nigerian maternal and child health through clinical and community-based interventions,” organised by PUNCH Media Foundation.

The former Kwara State First Lady, who was among the panelists during the virtual meeting, listed what she described as 10 social determinants that could improve maternal and child health indices in the country.

Ojora-Saraki, who expressed delight at the theme of the town hall, said her foundation has been working to improve maternal health, child nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, ending sexual and gender-based violence, research and empowering health workers since it was founded in 2004.

Giving insight into how to improve maternal and child health in the country, Ojora-Saraki said, “We must see an increase in the quality of healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

“Not because of impressive motive, but because there is actually a science to health facility design that helps you keep it clean and attractive to the community and helps to ensure that when people come to the facility, they do not acquire hospital-borne infections.

“We are committed to 10 core pillars: pregnant women should receive care at the right time; newborn should receive essential care immediately after birth; small and sick babies should be well cared for in a facility that is prepared to care for their fragility; that all women and newborns must receive care that prevents hospital-acquired infections.

“Also, the hospital must have an appropriate physical environment; that communication with women and their families must be effective to respond to their needs; that women and newborns who need referrals can obtain them without delay.

“Others are that no woman should be subjected to harmful practices during labour, childbirth and early postnatal period; that health facilities need well trained and motivated staff that are consistently available to provide care; that every woman and newborn should have a complete, accurate and standardised medical record.”

Continuing, she noted that those were the 10 social determinants that would decide and are already deciding whether a Nigerian woman, her newborn, her child and even her family will survive and thrive or die.

“The dire circumstances we find ourselves in, today, result in hundreds of thousands of cases of preventable suffering and death annually,” she added.

Listing the consequences of the nation’s poor healthcare system, the maternal and child health advocate, said, “Nigerian people are suffering from generations of mental, emotional and physical setbacks with cyclical loss of productivity.

“Ultimately, our poor state of public health in Nigeria also contributes to a stunted economy and we are all to blame.

“We are all aware that during 2010 to 2015, Nigeria recorded significant gains in maternal and child survival and these are clearly attributed to the coverage of the then Midwives Service Scheme which recruited 4,800 retired midwives, put them back into service and sent them across the country.

“That was designed to be taken over in two years after it started by the local government and that was where it failed.”

Charting the way forward, Ojora-Saraki said it was important to have a holistic and innovative ways of improving maternal and child health in the country and by also not ignoring nutrition and research.

“Importantly, our course now is radical new ways of thinking about clinical innovation and community service which must integrate economic revival following COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no doubt that we have opportunities to connect public health to economic gains in Nigeria. We have done this before and it can be done now.

“We need a holistic approach and there are investments that can bring rapid improvement.”

Stressing the role of nutrition in maternal and child health, she added, “Now, irrespective of all investment in maternal and child health, we cannot ignore nutrition. This is because malnutrition has been responsible directly or indirectly for 60 percent of the 10.8 million deaths annually among children under the age of five.

“Over two-thirds of these deaths are associated with inappropriate feeding during the first year of life, as complementary feeding either begins too early or too late, while the foods are nutritionally inadequate and unsafe.”

She said WBFA had trained 62,800 health workers in over 600 facilities to tackle health and delivery complications.

“In 22,000 births that we have seen in the facilities covered, we have not yet seen a death. So, it is quite clear that preparing the health workers to work better together and in tackling emergencies keeps people alive.

“We also have a breastfeeding and lactation support programme called Alive and Thrive, which runs in Lagos and Kaduna states.

“We have worked in over 570 facilities. In Lagos, we have improved the early and exclusive breastfeeding rate from 15 percent when we met it to 52 percent when we finished the programme earlier this year. This is a significant improvement which we feel will accelerate nutrition results in Nigeria,” she said.

Other maternal health advocates present at the town hall included First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, who was the guest speaker; Dr. Habeeb Salami from Pathfinder International; and Dr. Amina Salihu of MacArthur Foundation Africa Office, among others.

The town hall was organised by PUNCH Media Foundation to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria.

No woman should undergo harmful practices during childbirth - HE Toyin Ojora-Saraki

As part of efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths in the country, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, says no woman should be subjected to harmful practices during labour, childbirth and at early postnatal period.

Mrs. Saraki stated this on Friday during the maiden edition of PUNCH Digital Town Hall with the theme, “Strengthening the Nigerian maternal and child health through clinical and community-based interventions,” organised by PUNCH Media Foundation.

The former Kwara State First Lady, who was among the panelists during the virtual meeting, listed what she described as 10 social determinants that could improve maternal and child health indices in the country.

Mrs. Saraki, who expressed delight at the theme of the town hall, said her foundation has been working to improve maternal health, child nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, ending sexual and gender-based violence, research and empowering health workers since it was founded in 2004.

Giving insight into how to improve maternal and child health in the country, She said, “We must see an increase in the quality of healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

“Not because of impressive motive, but because there is actually a science to health facility design that helps you keep it clean and attractive to the community and helps to ensure that when people come to the facility, they do not acquire hospital-borne infections.

“We are committed to 10 core pillars: pregnant women should receive care at the right time; newborn should receive essential care immediately after birth; small and sick babies should be well cared for in a facility that is prepared to care for their fragility; that all women and newborns must receive care that prevents hospital-acquired infections.

“Also, the hospital must have an appropriate physical environment; that communication with women and their families must be effective to respond to their needs; that women and newborns who need referrals can obtain them without delay.

“Others are that no woman should be subjected to harmful practices during labour, childbirth and early postnatal period; that health facilities need well trained and motivated staff that are consistently available to provide care; that every woman and newborn should have a complete, accurate and standardised medical record.”

Continuing, she noted that those were the 10 social determinants that would decide and are already deciding whether a Nigerian woman, her newborn, her child and even her family will survive and thrive or die.

“The dire circumstances we find ourselves in, today, result in hundreds of thousands of cases of preventable suffering and death annually,” she added.

Listing the consequences of the nation’s poor healthcare system, the maternal and child health advocate, said, “Nigerian people are suffering from generations of mental, emotional and physical setbacks with cyclical loss of productivity.

“Ultimately, our poor state of public health in Nigeria also contributes to a stunted economy and we are all to blame.

“We are all aware that during 2010 to 2015, Nigeria recorded significant gains in maternal and child survival and these are clearly attributed to the coverage of the then Midwives Service Scheme which recruited 4,800 retired midwives, put them back into service and sent them across the country.

“That was designed to be taken over in two years after it started by the local government and that was where it failed.”

Charting the way forward, Mrs. Saraki said it was important to have a holistic and innovative ways of improving maternal and child health in the country and by also not ignoring nutrition and research.

“Importantly, our course now is radical new ways of thinking about clinical innovation and community service which must integrate economic revival following COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no doubt that we have opportunities to connect public health to economic gains in Nigeria. We have done this before and it can be done now.

“We need a holistic approach and there are investments that can bring rapid improvement.”

Stressing the role of nutrition in maternal and child health, she added, “Now, irrespective of all investment in maternal and child health, we cannot ignore nutrition. This is because malnutrition has been responsible directly or indirectly for 60 percent of the 10.8 million deaths annually among children under the age of five.

“Over two-thirds of these deaths are associated with inappropriate feeding during the first year of life, as complementary feeding either begins too early or too late, while the foods are nutritionally inadequate and unsafe.”

She said WBFA had trained 62,800 health workers in over 600 facilities to tackle health and delivery complications.

“In 22,000 births that we have seen in the facilities covered, we have not yet seen a death. So, it is quite clear that preparing the health workers to work better together and in tackling emergencies keeps people alive.

“We also have a breastfeeding and lactation support programme called Alive and Thrive, which runs in Lagos and Kaduna states.

“We have worked in over 570 facilities. In Lagos, we have improved the early and exclusive breastfeeding rate from 15 percent when we met it to 52 percent when we finished the programme earlier this year. This is a significant improvement which we feel will accelerate nutrition results in Nigeria,” she said.

Other maternal health advocates present at the town hall included First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, who was the guest speaker; Dr. Habeeb Salami from Pathfinder International; and Dr. Amina Salihu of MacArthur Foundation Africa Office, among others.

The town hall was organised by PUNCH Media Foundation to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria.

WhatsApp Is The Key To Democratising Global Healthcare, Says HE Toyin Saraki

Could an everyday communication platform really offer fair women’s healthcare around the world? Amanda Randone discusses how WhatsApp could change everything, with Nigerian leader and renowned advocate, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki.



In a remote village outside the Nigerian capital of Abuja, a woman sells clean water that she’s boiled, filtered, and put into little plastic pouches to thirsty passers-by. Her name is Olivia, and she’s 29 weeks pregnant with triplets on the way. Olivia is well aware that this is a high-risk pregnancy, so as soon as all signs point to premature labour, she acts fast. She whips out her phone and swipes her way straight to WhatsApp as though her life depends on it — because it does.

Nigeria can be a scary place if you’re about to give birth. According to the latest Child Mortality report from the United Nations, Nigeria has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates and, when combined with India, these two countries alone account for a third of the world’s under-five deaths. Outcomes for Nigerian mothers are just as troubling considering they have a 1 in 22 lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum compared to that of 1 in 4,900 in most developed nations. While these harrowing figures expose inequities within healthcare services and the chasm between Nigeria’s rich and poor as the more obvious determinants of maternal mortality, a lack of adequate antenatal education is also a key factor. When a woman is armed with knowledge about her body, she can become the leader of her own health and a decision-maker in the health of her family. But if access to this information is limited, or worse, nonexistent, her path to motherhood can quickly turn into a fatal journey.

But not for Olivia — not even when she’s refused admission to hospital until a deposit beyond her financial capacity is paid. Because not only did that WhatsApp message reach the qualified midwife who’d been coaching Olivia throughout the entirety of her pregnancy, it rode the cyber waves straight to the screen of Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, former First Lady of Nigeria’s Kwara State. Saraki is the founder and president of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), a Goodwill Ambassador to the UN, and a renowned advocate for maternal, newborn, and child health and ending gender-based discrimination and violence. When she learns that a woman has encountered a roadblock in what is already sure to be a cumbersome delivery, Saraki, en route to the airport at the time, shows up to the hospital to cover the cost of the emergency cesarean section and ensure all three babies and their mother make it out alive.

“By the time I landed in London, [Olivia] had had the most gorgeous triplets. And she had them safely,” Saraki says. “But when I was listening to her that day at the hospital, [it was clear] what a thin layer there is between resources and the woman, and then between life and death of the child.”

It’s not unusual to find Saraki pacing the hallways of maternity wards across the country, observing, inquiring, and insisting upon the protection and preservation of the lives of women within them. While the honour of naming the country’s first-born child each year is what typically draws a First Lady into Nigerian hospitals, Saraki’s interest in this space transcends official duty. She is a familiar face in the medical world, working the healthcare circuit the same way a dignitary like herself might float from one regal soiree to the next. If you liken Saraki to a guardian of maternal wellbeing, then consider the care providers she employs an army of angels, swooping in where Saraki sees the healthcare system is falling short. Her MamaCare programme, a midwifery initiative within the WBFA, is one of the best examples of this. The programme’s free antenatal classes are available in 570 hospitals, both public and private, in six of Nigeria’s 36 states. They are led by trained midwives who give practical information, advice, and support to mothers before and after childbirth, servicing over 200,000 women since 2015 – each with her own story of survival, against all odds.

It was Saraki’s personal birthing experience that brought about such steadfast advocacy. On the eve of her wedding in 1991, Saraki, then just 28 weeks pregnant with twins, went into labour. “I went to the bathroom and realised the babies were on the way… I screamed and then they sort of carried me spreadeagle to the labour room,” she recalls. The pandemonium that ensued had Saraki fighting for her own survival and for that of the two tiny humans growing inside of her, one of which she ultimately lost due to complications during an emergency C-section. It was a tragedy that not even Saraki’s tremendous privilege as a woman of means in a vastly poverty-stricken country could prevent, and one that’s all too familiar to hundreds of thousands of Nigerian women each year. And while this loss undoubtedly gouged a hole in Saraki’s heart that can never be filled, within that hole grew a renewed sense of purpose.

“There I was, I had this 28-weeker, 1.2 kilos, in an incubator in a country where power goes every hour,” Saraki remembers. “And there began the struggle... It really showed me what was missing in my country, because that was actually the best hospital, and probably the most competent doctor, but still there were these gaps, and these gaps cost a life and almost cost me my life, too.”

And so the WBFA was officially launched in 2004, and subsequently, its MamaCare initiative — a glimmer of hope that shines through Nigeria’s grim maternal and infant mortality rates which, despite being on the decline since Saraki lost her baby in the early ’90s, consistently rank among the worst on the planet. But with a 100% survival rate for its mothers and their infants, MamaCare is an anomaly. It’s an evidence-based example of health equity in action and a case study on the benefits of care dissemination through holistic, sustainable initiatives that fully engage the recipient through free and direct communication with their caregivers.

This community-oriented approach is inspired by Saraki's learnings from past work with Dr. Maurice Albertson, co-founder of the non-profit organisation Village Earth.

“Maury once said to me: ‘If you really want to know how to help people, you have to ask them questions. You don’t just come with your help like Lady Bountiful and expect it to work.’ Every community knows its own challenges and they know the solutions that they want, but they might not know how to get them.”

The progress already made at a subnational level in areas like Kwara State, where all WBFA programmes including MamaCare are underway, is proof of these benefits. Kwara is one of the poorest states in Nigeria —“flyover country,” as Saraki puts it — but it has already achieved the UN’s 2030 sustainable development goals target for neonatal and under-5 mortality rates. In addition to the local government’s emphasis on subsidised healthcare, the statewide implementation of initiatives like MamaCare allows for those who are both socially vulnerable and from ethnic classifications typically deemed high-risk to feel equipped for the childbearing process. MamaCare’s WhatsApp groups, which are organised and monitored by a bevy of indefatigable midwives, are a thriving digital arm of its mission (Saraki describes them as some of the most “amazing things on this earth”) and yet another avenue through which knowledge and support can be effectively funnelled to expectant mothers.

We all know what it’s like to be tethered, begrudgingly, to an endless virtual exchange of trivialities between oft-unidentifiable avatars in which we feel obligated to remain – sometimes at the cost of our own sanity. The mere utterance of the words “WhatsApp group” can incite an eye-roll or sense of dread as a result. But MamaCare’s WhatsApp world is far from your typical online talkfest. It’s a safe space for pregnant women and new mums in Nigeria to connect, commiserate, and voice their honest concerns — including the stuff deemed uncomfortable or taboo — knowing they can count on getting a prompt, accurate response in return. The midwives, sometimes referred to endearingly as “Mama” by their group members, field questions about everything from breast feeding and nutrition to pregnancy sex and postpartum spotting. “Can I take bitter kola?” asks one participant as another chimes in, enthusiastic and intrigued. In a separate group, a woman wants to know why air is coming out of her vagina, and she doesn’t hesitate to go into further detail upon the midwife’s request even with the eyeballs of over a hundred women following along from their respective screens.

“For a country with such a dire mortality rate, it’s quite clear that these questions need answering,” Saraki says, adding that this is particularly true in an environment where the rapid spread of misinformation can have cataclysmic consequences. Nigeria’s polio immunisation campaign, for example, faced a number of worrying setbacks at first due to rumors that the vaccine caused infertility, then later because of false claims that it was part of a ploy to infect children with the Monkey Pox Virus. MamaCare’s midwives can intervene immediately to dispel the maternity-related myths or falsehoods that manage to seep into these shared platforms before any further damage is done.

While WhatsApp was initially intended to function in tandem with MamaCare’s educational programming, these online conversations have started to shape the in-person classes so that the material covered is tailored to the specific needs and interests of each group. Plus, a class is limited in the number of attendees it can accommodate — Saraki says that’s anywhere from 12 to 90 women depending on the size of the hospital — but a single WhatsApp group can have up to 256 women in it at once, which means MamaCare’s online reach far exceeds its physical presence. Although the ability to have and use technology presents a significant barrier in terms of access, the number of internet subscribers in Nigeria has now exceeded 147 million (much more than half of its population), the majority of whom are getting it on their phones. With both mobile penetration and smartphone adoption expected to increase significantly by 2025, MamaCare is poised to grow correspondingly.

The groups have proved so successful throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that the WBFA is formally committing to an official MamaCare WhatsApp ‘chatbot’, set to go live this October. “When COVID started, oh my God! Our WhatsApp groups went completely crazy,” Saraki says. The pandemic certainly weakened the resilience of healthcare systems around the globe, but childbirth, she reminds us, doesn’t stop for anyone, anywhere. The urgent need for guidance, answers, and a network of support for already-anxious mums-to-be was exacerbated as soon as the virus struck. By turning to WhatsApp to help women navigate this unfamiliar territory, MamaCare midwives had the opportunity to quell the fears of their patients, a service that has persisted long after their in-person antenatal classes were permitted to resume.

By zealously harnessing the power of digital communication through vehicles like WhatsApp, Saraki believes MamaCare will amplify its impact. What’s currently reaching 8,000 mothers a month, she says, can soon evolve into well over 200,000. And with about seven million babies born in Nigeria each year and Saraki’s goal of providing every single one of them and their families with a safe delivery and quality care, the WBFA chatbots are a major step in fast-tracking that ambition.

“Our tech is going to underpin our frontline. We want to be able to deliver lessons, immunisation reminders, nutrition advice, all by WhatsApp,” Saraki explains excitedly. “Imagine the sort of scale we can have when we launch the chatbots — it’s going to be revolutionary!”

The old adage that knowledge is power may be wildly cliched, but the positive results coming out of Kwara state affirm its truth. If something as obtainable as WhatsApp has the capacity to improve medical outcomes for Nigeria’s most disadvantaged women through the diffusion of reliable information, then the world might not be as far from widespread healthcare reform as we thought.

Consider the United Kingdom, where maternal mortality rates are low but the gap between outcomes for Black and brown women compared to those of their white counterparts is wide (and widening). There is no lack of abundant antenatal classes and WhatsApp groups for expectant mothers in the UK, but what’s missing is the availability of care that’s designed for the needs of the country’s marginalised communities. A one-size-fits-all method doesn’t work for a population that’s as ethnically, racially, and financially diverse as the UK’s, especially when minorities rarely see themselves reflected in the medical personnel delivering this care (in a June 2020 statement on race from the Royal College of Midwives, the organisation referred to itself as “overwhelmingly white,” and a recent report from the Nursing & Midwifery Council shows that about 85% of midwives in the UK identify as white). If a Black woman is five times more likely to die during childbirth in the UK, a more culturally sensitive approach to understanding these discrepancies and educating healthcare professionals and their patients accordingly can and will save lives.

When asked if delivery by way of WhatsApp is on the horizon, Saraki laughs – but she doesn’t rule out the possibility. What she is sure of, however, is that the role of data collation and analysis is crucial to the evolution of egalitarian healthcare systems. “When we’re at a crossroads and we’re not sure what to do, data, if it’s openly and freely available, can lead us forward,” she says. “You can’t access data if you’re not accessing tech, and I’m hoping that the WBFA’s use of technology will add this extra layer to all of our programming, and democratise it.”

Here’s what family planning can do for Nigeria - HE Toyin Ojora-Saraki

The biggest misconception about contraception in Nigeria is that contraceptives encourage promiscuity. The fact is, the education and economic empowerment of women directly correlates to their ability to plan, manage and thrive throughout their experience in the reproductive process.
So today on World Contraception Day 2020, I am leading the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in joining the WHO Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (including the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Family Planning association, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) along with organizations and individuals worldwide in celebrating this important event.

Contraceptive information and services are fundamental to the health and human rights for everyone. Access to safe, quality, affordable contraceptive information and services, together with the provision of fertility care, allows people to decide whether and when to have children, and also the number of children they would like. Ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is essential to securing their well-being and autonomy, while supporting the health and development of communities.

My decades of work to improve maternal health contributes to the rise of women because in Nigeria, first and foremost there is a critical need for mothers to plan their families, and survive childbirth in order to allow them to thrive. That is the ethos that drives my work as UNFPA Nigeria’s Family Planning Champion, as a co-author of the Lancet Maternal Health Series on stillbirth, as a commitment maker to FP2020 Movement and the International Conference on Population and Development ICPD25, and as a lifelong advocate for women’s rights to contraceptives and family planning.

In November 2016, the 4th Nigeria Family Planning Conference in Abuja hosted the Africa regional launch of The Lancet Maternal Health Series. National and international health leaders joined me and my Wellbeing Foundation Africa for this important gathering, including the Honourable Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Professor Oona Campbell, author of the 2016 Lancet Maternal Health Series and Professor Oying Rimon, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Challenge Initiative, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, DFID UK, USAID, Plan International, Evidence For Action, The White Ribbon Alliance and NURHI, the National Council for Women’s societies NCWS, and YWCA, among many national stakeholders.
With insights shaped by co-authoring the previous 2015 Lancet Maternal Health Series: Stillbirths: Economic And Psychosocial Consequences – and having attended the initial launch of the 2016 Series report at the global stage to coincide with the 71st UN General Assembly in that September, I observed that The Lancet Maternal Health Series covers the epidemiology of maternal health, the current landscape of maternal health care and services in both high- and low-income countries, and laid out future challenges and strategies to improve maternal wellbeing.

Addressing stakeholders alongside fellow panelists Professor Oona Campbell who launched the Series, Professor Adinma, Dr Kole Shettima, Dr Tunde Segun and Dr Allisyn Moran with the discussion entitled: “What is family planning doing for maternal health in Nigeria,” – I welcomed the Nigeria launch of the 2016 series, which provided all stakeholders and policy-makers the evidence with which to guide concrete actions to improve maternal newborn child and adolescent health services.

The launch of the 2016 report coincided with the revised WHO guidelines which recommend that pregnant women in low and middle income regions receive eight antenatal visits, and increased recommendation from the four antenatal visits previously indicated within the WHO’s focused Antenatal Care policy. It vindicated and validated the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s MamaCare Antenatal And Postnatal Skills And Drills Curriculum model for midwives and mothers, respectively. It demonstrated that the provision of a midwifery-led continuum of care and counsel, along with universal access to high quality affordable health services through community health insurance, improved training in emergency obstetric and newborn care, underpinned by integrating its robust patient-custody health records with digital facility health records and civil registrations data skill-sets are, together, crucial to improving survival and wellbeing.

As Nigeria’s first civil society community midwives health visitor program, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s MamaCare360 Antenatal and Postnatal Education Classes incorporate a postnatal session where breastfeeding techniques are delivered to mothers along with informed family planning advice. We affirm that access to family planning information and contraception is a fundamental human right, empower women to decide when and where to have a child, and how many children they wish to bear according to their circumstances, and recognising those rights, we recommend that mothers space their childbirth by 1000 days to better sustain the health and socio-economic wellbeing of mother, child and family.

In 2016, Nigeria had cause to celebrate the then-recorded 40% improved survival rates delivered over four years through Nigeria’s Midwives Service Scheme, despite government challenges in sustaining state and local government traction on these gains – which are sorely threatened today. That’s because Nigeria has once again, in 2020, overtaken India as the worlds capital of multi-dimensional poverty, malnutrition, and under-5 mortality.

Prior to the interrupted access to routine family planning services caused by the coronavirus pandemic, most low- and middle-income countries were on course to experience substantial economic growth, which will increase their fiscal space for health investments in maternal and newborn health. However, with the expected surge in ‘lockdown pregnancies’ we must ready ourselves to harmonise and standardise the wide variations within quality of care, between two broad scenarios which reflect the landscape of poor maternal health care – the absence of timely access to care (defined as ‘too little, too late’) and over-medicalisation of normal antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care (defined as ‘too much, too soon’) – and the submerged social determinant factors of economic distress, and co-related domestic and gender-based violence.

Yet we know the steps to take to recapture early successes:
The National Task-shifting Policy: When community health workers were allowed to administer injectable contraceptives, the uptake of family planning in hard-to-reach areas went up dramatically. That success was irrefutably demonstrated in Nigeria.
It will be hugely beneficial to improve clarity on Nigeria’s currently confusing ‘dual-qualification nurse-midwife’ overlap, to provide clear distinctions between the midwifery qualification, and the general nursing qualification, applying the learning from the WHO Midwives Voices Midwives Realities Report, which documents the voices and realities of 2,470 midwifery personnel in 93 countries and describes, from their perspective, the barriers they experience to providing quality, respectful care for women, newborns and their families.

I urge our Federal Government and policy makers to consider:
Integrating the International Confederation of Midwives’ Midwifery Services Framework into Nigeria’s public health policy as the best practice model to strengthen midwifery services to deliver the full complement of maternal and newborn care, including family planning.
To honor their FP2020 commitments to improving family planning funding and services
To partner with donors and other non-governmental organizations to increase financing for family planning at all levels
To strengthen primary health care facilities to provide family planning counseling and services for increased access and improved coverage
To partner with non- governmental agencies and development partners to build the capacities of healthcare providers across all cadres to encourage task shifting/sharing to overcome human resource constraints
To strengthen country’s forecasting capacities and supply of family planning capacities
To adopt innovative approaches such as community-based family planning services, involvement of men, traditional and religious leaders as family planning champions to break religious-cultural barriers
To continuously create awareness on family planning for women and families to make informed decisions on birth spacing.
To scale up deployment of patient custody health records and facility and health-worker driven digital records databases to provide real-time transparent and accountable community audit mechanisms in measuring public health services delivery

Poverty, inequality, and geographical barriers all clearly play out in maternal health where both our challenges and opportunities abound.
We should, therefore, guarantee that every woman, everywhere has access to quality care. An essential part of advancing maternal health in Nigeria is accelerating, reinforcing and replenishing the progress of family planning education and services to all women, thus preventing unwanted pregnancy. It is true that women, families and communities need births to grow, yet it is unethical and simply unacceptable to encourage women to give birth in places with low facility capability, with unskilled providers, or where the content of care is not evidence-based. This failing should be remedied as a matter of priority.

To achieve the 2030 SDG global target of a maternal mortality ratio of less than 70 per 100,000 live births, we must prioritise quality maternal health services that respond to local needs; promote equity through universal coverage of quality maternal health services; improve the health workforce and facility capability; guarantee sustainable financing for maternal and perinatal health; and generate better evidence, advocacy, and accountability for progress.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Mamacare+Nutrition program which sub-implements the Nutrition International and UNFPA NLift Strategy though the Wellbeing Foundation Africa MamaCare Community Midwifery Program, improves maternal education, family planning and nutrition through iron and folic acid supplementation, supported by Global Affairs Canada, currently reaching 11,000 women at 60 Health Facilities and their surrounding households and Ward Development Committees in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Read the original article via: https://toyinsaraki.org/blog/heres-what-family-planning-can-do-for-nigerians/

Toyin Saraki urges Kwara Governor to Call Land Encroachers To Order - Be Thy Brother's Keeper In Restoring Safety, Security and Peace

Former Kwara State First Lady Calls Upon Kwara Governor, Police Commissioner, Authorities To Flush Out Alleged Land Encroachers, Restore Safety Security And Peace - Says Kwarans Should Be Good Neighbours In Erstwhile State Of Harmony

A Spokesman for Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, acclaimed and highly respected Global Health Philanthropist, and Former First Lady Of Kwara State (2003-2011) has responded to the news of a petition regarding security of the Hajj Camp community and a nearby piece of land duly purchased by her Foundation for future projects, by calling upon the Executive Governor Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the State Commissioner of Police, to immediately take steps to stamp out the proliferation of criminality, enjoin members of the public in being good neighbours, and restore the safety, security and harmony that erstwhile reigned Kwara State.

In a statement released and made available to press, the Community Outreach Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation to Her Excellency Toyin Saraki stated:

"We are horrified by reports ostensibly from inhabitants of that community, that other members of that community have allegedly long encroached upon the land for nefarious purposes, and puzzlingly, these petitioners have never previously reported this criminality to us. In fact, it is crystal clear that these latter-day petitioners may have questions to answer as to their concealment of this alleged criminality, if indeed true, for several years."

"The land was purchased as undeveloped bush, and earmarked for future development, scheduled for when the surrounding community reaches the required population and residential density."

"A detailed pre-project construction land survey recently took place, and there were no reports whatsoever of any activity on the lands, although the Kwara State Lands Bureau had previously apologised for their unilateral encroachment upon the land in the form of dividing it with a public access pathway, while encroachers from within the community sought forgiveness from Her Excellency to overlook their own varied encroachments, which they promised to vacate and remedy."

"Because we recall recent public reports of His Excellency Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq recently uncovering and destroying suspected herder-militia settlements suspecting of harbouring criminals capable of breaching the peace in other parts of Kwara State, we must now insist that Mr Sola Fafoluyi, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, who is also a publisher of www.fidelinfo.com - whom has acted as agent for the peitioners in publication of their petition, in which he claims intricately detailed knowledge, to immediately present himself and the apparent petitioners to both the State Commissioner of Police, the DSS, and this Office, to provide all information of the alleged nefarious criminals that have apparently according to him, operated clandestinely, but of which he appears to be in possession of details, so that they may be traced and investigated without delay, in order to restore the safety and security of the land, ahead of its purposed development."

"We remind Mr Fafoluyi, and his alleged public petitioners, that all good Kwarans in the State of Harmony, should indeed be their brother's keepers, so we are astonished of Mr Fafoluyi's concealment of apparent encroachment for criminal purposes, which were undetected at regular land survey visits. Mr Fafoluyi's actions of omission in never previously reporting such is perplexing to us, and we insist that he must help the authorities and this office, immediately with our enquiries, while we assess whether that community, and indeed Kwara State, is meritorious of the proposed project for that land."

"It would be unfortunate if a risk assessment review based on Mr Fafoluyi's alleged findings will inform the shelving of the proposed project for that land, as it is widely acknowledged that her decades-long efforts have been a significant beneficial contribution to Kwara State's enviable status since 2010 as the first of Nigeria's northern states to be 'Fit For A Child' according to UNICEF, and its similarly sustained position for several years as the State with the lowest Under-5 mortality in the land, in the light of UNICEF's latest assessment that Nigeria has overtaken India as the largest contributor to Under-5 deaths in the world."

"We thus call upon the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of Kwara State, and the Commissioner of Police and State Director DSS to immediately make efforts to flush out the alleged miscreants, whomsoever they may be, and bring them to book, in order to restore the safety and security of the community within Kwara State's total land mass measured at 36, 825 sq km 2, and provide our organisation with the confidence in same security and peace, which we require to proceed with much needed community investments at this time."

Signed:
Agboola P

Kwara Mission Community Outreach Officer
Monitoring & Evaluation
Office of H.E. Mrs Toyin Saraki

Toyin Saraki, Wellbeing Foundation Africa Celebrates Africa Polio-Free Declaration

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa and its Founder, H.E. Toyin Saraki have celebrated the WHO Declaration of Africa being free of the wild poliovirus declared at the 70th Session of the World Health Organisation Regional Committee for Africa, which held virtually on 25th August, 2020.

In welcoming the historic milestone declared by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of WHO Africa Regional Office, Mrs Saraki who serves as a Special Adviser and WHO AFRO Independent Advisory Group Member stated:

"Congratulations, Africa, on becoming wild poliovirus-free"

"Today is the day we have set our sights on for decades. Because of years of work by health workers on the ground, with the support and collaboration of international nonprofits, national and local governments, and with the weight of the world's attention, we are able to celebrate this momentous achievement: Africa is wild polio-free."

"I am overjoyed that today, thanks to 25 years of coordination and commitment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO), wild poliovirus no longer threatens our children and future generations of children across the African continent."

"The achievement is all the more remarkable as the result of an instrumental campaign to vaccinate children in Northern Nigeria, a region that is choked by terrorist extremist rule.

As of today, Africa is the fifth of six global regions to be officially declared wild poliovirus-free; with cases of the virus now found only in the eastern Mediterranean region. This milestone has been achieved through successfully scaling up and sustaining the delivery of vaccines to children in the hardest-to-reach places throughout Africa."

"My Wellbeing Foundation Africa has proudly supported the communities we work with to detect, interrupt, and eliminate the wild poliovirus, alongside our global and national partners."

"Our programmes give mothers access to information on the safety and importance of vaccines--Our Personal Health Records are now a necessity in order to empower them to make immunisation choices in the best interests of their children."

"Now, thanks to the tireless efforts of so many working to ensure polio vaccines reach the most remote corners of the world, more than 18 million children who would have faced polio paralysis in the past are walking freely towards healthy futures."

"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt health services, damage health systems and burden health workers, it is imperative that we come together globally, again, to address the public health challenges of the future.

"We must strengthen routine immunization programs in Nigeria, specifically to achieve full eradication of all forms of polio, including circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, which remains prevalent in areas with weak or partial immunization coverage. To build on this enormous success, we must sustain our commitment to mass immunization campaigns, and we must do more to stop dangerous misinformation from spreading."

Today marks a truly momentous milestone, and I must also commend the philanthropic efforts of Rotary International, the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in recognition of their respective resource contributions to end polio.

Together with my Wellbeing Foundation Africa, I offer our deepest congratulations and respect to the heroic health workers, community leaders, and volunteers who have contributed to this tremendous success. Congratulations, Africa!"

HE Toyin Saraki, Finance Minister, Ngozi Iweala, Other Nigerians Named Among 100 Most Influential African Women

Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki has been named among100 most influential African women by Avance Media.

Team@orientmags.com learned other Nigerians among the most influential African women include Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, former Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Ekiti state First Lady , Erelu Bisi Fayemi , Linda Ikeji , Olajumoke Adenowo who is the Founder of AD Consulting 70, CEO, Emerging Africa Capital 91, Toyin Sanni and a musician, Yemi Alade.

Avance Media is a Ghana-based PR & Rating company that was founded by Prince Akpah.

The list which was a representation of the most powerful African women from 34 countries were chosen from various career backgrounds including diplomacy, politics, activism, entrepreneurship, business leadership and entertainment.

20 Nigerians were named among the influential women, 11 from South Africa and 9 from Ghana.

24-year-old Emma Theofelus who is Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology is the youngest among the influential women.

Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah said the list focused on women who are leading various initiatives across the continent and that the company has sought to present them as role models for the younger generation.

He further submitted that they were selected because of their incredible achievements as women and that they deserve high recommendations among other female trailblazers in Africa.

Team@orientmags.com learned the criteria for selection include; Excellence in Leadership & Performance, Personal accomplishments, Commitment to sharing knowledge, Breaking the Status Quo and being an accomplished African Woman.

‘I am honoured to be chosen for @avancemedia‘s 2020 list of 100 Most Influential African Women! I can only do my job because I have the help of dozens of women who help me execute daily care for the most marginalized. Thank you, thank you, thank you’ Mrs. Toyin Saraki tweeted on Wednesday.

Her husband; Dr Bukola Saraki, a onetime governor of Kwara state, was also the Senate President between 2015 and 2019

- Team@orientmags.com

Male involvement is critical for exclusive breastfeeding -Toyin Saraki

As part of its activities to mark the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), The Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA) visited communities in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Kwara, and Osun states to sensitize women and men especially, on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the new-born, mother and father.

The Founder of the WBFA, Toyin Ojora Saraki noted that her organization has increased its programmatic focus and social behavioral change advocacy and actions to engage husbands, and male community leaders, increasing their understanding of the benefits of early and exclusive breastfeeding.

“We also state the importance of sanitation and hygiene, from the cradle to age. I expect that with these improved inter-personal communication skills, men will better support new mothers in nourishing and nurturing their babies, strengthen household understanding, and cascade a lowering of sexual and gender-based violence. “

“Together with our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Lactation program, I am confident that the WBFA’s concrete steps to improve Maternal Infant And Young Child Feeding and Nutrition in Nigeria, will offer marked results in preventing malnutrition, from the most fragile infant to the healthy new-born and stronger child”.

The Foundation emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding provides the new-born child with critical nutrients necessary for healthy development and protects against deadly diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and ear infections.

“Exclusive breastfeeding for mothers would ensure the return to the pre-pregnancy size of the mother’s uterus and reduce the risk of ovarian and breast cancers. We also informed men that adhering to exclusive breastfeeding is cost-effective, as research has shown that the total annual global cost of not breastfeeding ranges from $257 billion to $341 billion, excluding economic costs of increased household caregiving time, as well as treatment costs related to other diseases caused by not practicing exclusive breastfeeding according to recommendations.”

State Coordinator for WBFA in Abuja, Dr Otun Adewale who led the team said “Our internal data had shown that despite the health and financial benefits to the male folk especially fathers of new-borns, male involvement in the campaign for exclusive breastfeeding is awfully low. This informed our approach in the field exercise we took to these communities.

“Statistics show that 97% of children are actually breastfed in Nigeria but only 29% are exclusively breastfed. We have also noticed that socio-cultural factors come into play to reduce this 29%, so the target is to have at least 50% of exclusively breastfed children in Nigeria by 2030”.

On the effect of non-exclusive breastfeeding on the environment, Adewale emphasized that Nigeria being responsible for nearly 68% of nondegradable waste in Sub-Saharan Africa, could benefit significantly from exclusive breastfeeding.

“The planet is degrading faster by the day and scientists have reported that the major cause of this degradation is solid waste. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we have about 62million tons of waste generated which is significant and unfortunately, Nigeria actually accounts for 42million tons of this waste, which is more than 60%. This is distorting our ecosystem, distorting our environment, and degrading the planet as a whole.

“Exclusive breastfeeding is about the baby suckling from the mother’s breast, no need of cups or any other man-made tools, but breastmilk substitutes most times require these things. By 2030 importation of baby feed or substitute would be worth about N200billion which translates roughly to 100million cans of baby feed.

“These baby feed components are metal cans, aluminum foils, plastic spoons for scooping, etc. All these, after use, would be discarded somewhere mostly leading to environmental pollution. We can avoid all these by simply exclusively breastfeeding our children.”

In the FCT, WBFA took its comprehensive sensitization exercise to the people of Ushafa, Dafa and Yangoji communities, highlighting the positive impacts of exclusive breastfeeding on the healthy development of the child, the short- and long-term health benefits for the mother, the health and financial benefits for the father, as well as its environmental benefits.

Sango and Ogun destroy you

hisexcellency34:
Ogun visit you

How to improve breastfeeding rates, reduce infant mortality in Nigeria, by Toyin Saraki, experts

In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, Medela breast pump announced its new partnership with The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) to improve breastfeeding support and resources in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in Nigeria. Medela is one of the breast pumps recommended by doctors and used in hospitals.

As part of this partnership, Medela and The Wellbeing Foundation Africa will work together to improve the support offered to new mothers in Nigeria by delivering NICU-specific education and training on the value of human milk and how to build sufficient milk supply for long-term breastfeeding. This work will involve frontline healthcare workers, nonprofit organisations and government agencies.

Founder and president of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Toyin Ojora Saraki, said: “Medela’s long history as a global player in breastfeeding research, products, technology and innovation is the perfect partner for Wellbeing Foundation Africa in our quest to improve Nigeria’s prevalence of breastfeeding and our focus on NICU support.

“Ensuring new mothers are wholly supported to breastfeed is not only critical for the health and wellbeing of the baby: it can be linked to all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Nigeria ranks 6th worst country in the world for infant mortality and complications due to prematurity, which is the leading cause of death. In children younger than five years, 47 per cent of deaths occur in the first 28 days of life, many of them are preventable and can be addressed through improved nutrition with mother’s milk. Today Nigeria has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world with only 17 per cent of mothers exclusively breastfeeding their children through six months. To improve these statistics, the United Nations set a global goal to improve breastfeeding rates to 50 per cent by the year 2030. Medela hopes to contribute to the solution through this partnership with the WBFA. As a supporting member of the Global UN Compact and the UN’s Every Woman, Every Child initiative, Medela is committed to partnering with organisations to improve breastfeeding rates globally to meet the 2030 Breastfeeding goals. Medela’s new global corporate social responsibility program, Medela Cares, is dedicated to improving the lives of moms, babies and patients through education and support, as well as through technologies, research and services.

“Research shows us that breast milk is critical for growth and overall health for newborns and is a low-cost and highly effective intervention that can prevent infant death,” said Annette Brüls, CEO of Medela worldwide. “We are thrilled to partner with The Wellbeing Foundation Africa as part of our commitment to the UN’s Every Woman, Every Child movement to better the lactation care provided to mothers and ultimately improve the infant feeding and health outcomes in Nigeria.”

The partnership will commence with a webinar on August 7, 2020 about Breastfeeding in High Risk Countries, a panel discussion with Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder WBFA, Annette Brüls, CEO of Medela, Dr. Prof. Diane Spatz, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, and Rita Momoh, lead midwife at WBFA, moderated by Tolu Adeleke, founder of Tolu The Midwife Healthcare Solutions and CEO of Maternity Hub (Nigeria). This group will discuss the need to address infant mortality and share how midwives and mothers can be supported to champion breastfeeding efforts in high-risk countries such as Nigeria.

Breastmilk for Premature Babies Encourages Economic Revival - Toyin Saraki

Ensuring that mothers can breastfeed – to nurture and nourish their newborns – requires scaling up commitments to reach the last mile for neonatal intensive care and nutrition.

'Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet,' is the theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week. Wellbeing Foundation Africa, through its 'Alive and Thrive' and Mamacare+Nutrition programs, continue to pioneer improved breastfeeding practices in Nigeria as the unrivaled way of providing nutrition to infants. The programs, which promote maternity care and nutrition, are led by communities and midwives.

We know exclusive breastfeeding is best: it improves physical, emotional and mental health for mother and baby immediately and into adulthood. It also reduces malnutrition, which accounts for 60 percent of the 10.9 million deaths annually among children under five.

But in many countries, including my home country of Nigeria, many babies are not exclusively breastfed. Worse, it is the most vulnerable babies who need the immunotherapy benefits of mothers' own milk the most, who are denied the benefits.

Fifteen million babies are born too soon every year, and the number is rising. Nigeria itself has the third highest number of premature babies globally.

Preterm babies' lack of access to breastmilk is due to practical reasons: the babies, who usually have a less developed immune system and fewer antibodies than a full-term baby, need to be placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This separates infants from their mothers and presents a challenge for mothers in initiating and maintaining milk supply.

At the same time, in the context of the economic impact on Nigeria of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, there have been a plethora of calls to redefine how we rebuild our economy. One way in which we can make practical moves to improve economic development is to invest in solving the issue of breastfeeding in Nigeria, as a focal target within our Every Newborn Action Plan.

Hear me out: Nigeria continues to struggle with economic growth, and the impact of the pandemic has led some to predict that Nigeria's economy is facing collapse. But every U.S.$1 invested in breastfeeding in countries like Nigeria can generate as much as $35 in economic returns.

Only 33 percent of Nigerian children are breastfed within the first hour of birth, and only 17 percent are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Mothers face a number of challenges in exclusively breastfeeding their children, including cultural beliefs, stress, and balancing work and childcare. Underscoring the impact of this low rate of breastfeeding is the fact that Nigeria ranks seventh highest in the world for infant mortality – and malnutrition is the leading cause of death.

That the problems are so evident in Nigeria lends itself to the potential for dramatic improvement, should we invest in breastfeeding. Imagine that the impact of a $1 (₦315.25) investment could return $35 (₦11,033.75) in economic growth, when scaled to the size of Nigeria's market and need for improved support for breastfeeding.

It is predicted to add US$21 billion (₦6.62 trillion) for the economy over children's productive years, by increasing cognitive capacity and preventing premature mortality in the early years. With the majority of our population skewing young, it is healthy, strong children who are our greatest asset.

With this in mind, during World Breastfeeding Week, my Wellbeing Foundation Africa is scaling up the process of investing in the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable babies through a new partnership with a corporate social responsibility initiative of Medela, a company active in breastfeeding research, products, technology and innovation, and a member of the UN Global Compact.

As a core commitment to the United Nations Every Woman Every Child Effort, the new partnership aims to improve breastfeeding support and resources in Nigerian NICUs by delivering tailored education and training on the value of human milk for ill or low-birthweight babies, on how to build sufficient milk supply, and on making the transition to breastfeeding.

In most instances, babies born prematurely and critically ill infants, particularly those admitted into intensive care units, are too fragile to breastfeed. As part of its commitment to support and encourage mothers with high-risk infants, WBFA has spent the last year working with midwives and women to provide Lactation Support for Premature and Sick Infants in NICU – focusing on the promoting the administration of buccal colostrum. Colostrum, a mother's first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth, is saturated with antibodies which protect against disease. Buccal colostrum – administering colostrum directly into a newborn's mouth – provides the benefits of colostrum to sick and preterm infants who cannot yet perform oral breastfeeding. It can be used even in critically ill and ventilated infants.

Ultimately, careful application of colostrum via syringe or gloved finger, and feeding of breastmilk, can decrease morbidities, shorten hospital stays, and aid in the growth, health and development of preterm infants' digestive systems, while strengthening their immunity.

Caring for the most vulnerable infants in the most precarious of times is not solely an issue of compassion for babies and their families. Improving breastfeeding touches many areas of nations' economic and social development.

Each year, optimal breastfeeding practices have the potential to prevent 103,742 child deaths and prevent 1,511 maternal deaths from cancers and type II diabetes, which allows more people to live healthier lives and have more quality time with their loved ones. It will also save over US$22 million (₦6.93 billion) in health-system treatment costs related to inadequate breastfeeding, and reduce families' out of pocket expenditures to treat diarrhea and pneumonia.

These health outcomes and economic savings constitute an important contribution, as communities and countries deal with the strain from the pandemic. And, investing in breastfeeding will generate an additional US$21 billion (₦6.62 trillion) for the economy over children's productive years, by increasing cognitive capacity and preventing premature mortality in the early years.

WBFA continues to build partnerships, as we work to redefine how we can scale up nutrition to rebuild Nigeria's economy. We are taking care of our most vulnerable infants with our most natural solutions.

Reaching the last-mile lighthouse of care for our country's tiniest citizens, by extending preterm babies' connection to breastmilk, is one aspect of a making the largest impact – long-term economic recovery and revival.

Even amidst the pandemic, I have encouraged Nigerian mothers to continue breastfeeding their infants to protect against infectious diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO), after reviewing all available evidence, concludes that mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infections "should be encouraged to initiate or continue to breastfeed. Mothers should be counselled that the benefits of breastfeeding substantially outweigh the potential risks for transmission. WBFA agrees with WHO that all breastfeeding mothers should take as many precautions as possible to protect their babies – hand washing with soap and water before holding or feeding an infant, regularly cleaning surfaces and wearing masks.

As a supporting member of the Global UN Compact and the United Nations Economic and Social Council ECOSOC, the WBFA supports and adheres to the WHO Breastmilk Code and remains committed to improving breastfeeding rates in Nigeria and globally.

Toyin Saraki, founder-president of WBFA, was admitted to the Nigerian bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court, has a master's degree in international economic law, and isa longtime advocate for saving the lives of mothers and children – Africa's most vulnerable people. Her passion for newborn care and for the prevention of infant and maternal deaths in childbirth arose from personal experience of the pain of losing newborns. She was the inaugural Global Goodwill Ambassador of the International Confederation of Midwives and has served on several boards, including the Global Foundation for the Elimination of Domestic Violence and the Africa Justice Foundation and as special advisor to the independent advisory group of WHO's regional office for Africa.

To launch its partnership with Medela, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa hosted a World Breastfeeding Week Webinar on breastfeeding in high-risk countries.

Children not exclusively breastfed at risk of cerebrovascular strokes – WBFA Physician

An expert in Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Alero Roberts, has warned that babies that are not exclusively breastfed have a higher risk of developing cerebrovascular strokes later in life.

Children not exclusively breastfed, she added, are also at risk of metabolic syndromes like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney diseases later in life.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Dr. Roberts, a consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, said a baby gets vital nourishment and immunity from colostrums, which is the first milk secreted after childbirth, adding that studies have shown that high intelligence quotient and mental alertness in children are linked to exclusive breastfeeding.

She explained that colostrums immunise a baby against immediate infective diseases and long term nutrition-related disorders.

According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2018, there has been a considerable increase in the rate of babies started on breast milk within an hour of birth.

Roberts, who is the Vice President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, said breastfeeding is not just the act of giving newborn human breast milk, but more importantly the gift of life.

“We are Nigerians, breastfeeding is what we do. In my experience, infant formula feeding was only used as a supplementation for ‘bigger’ babies, or when mothers have to return to work,” she said.

She maintained that breastfeeding cost nothing and in the long run, saves parents from endless hospital visits that will require out of pocket payments.

“Exclusive breastfeeding does not cost the mother, the parents or the planet anything.

“We must conserve our resources and ensure that our children have strong immune systems.

“Children that are exclusively breastfed and then continually breastfed until 24 months are healthier, stronger, more mentally alert and intellectually more astute.

“Though there will be the usual ups and downs; the sore nipples, engorgement, leaking breasts and painful latching, that experience is a story every mother wants to tell.

“On the part of the mother, it helps with a hormonal restoration that would aid her recovery from pregnancy

“In this new normal, there is a great desire to ensure that we don’t contribute to damage to the planet,” she said.

According to Dr. Roberts, most mothers lack the depth of knowledge that gives them the confidence to insist on and to initiate breastfeeding within the first 30 minutes of birth and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the child’s life.

The expert, who is also the 2nd vice-chairman, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, said breastfeeding counselling should be instituted to help mothers build confidence and willpower to overcome challenges that prevent healthy feeding and childcare practices.

“Such practices include the provision of unnecessary liquids, foods and infant formula to infants and young babies.

“Faced with incredulous demands from grandmothers and other family influencers that have no basis in science or cultural norms, many new mothers are overcome with conflicting choices.

“New mothers need skilled counselling and support to get them through the first difficult days when they are assailed by doubts and faced with the enormity of this responsibility,” the physician said.

Speaking further, Dr. Roberts said the 2020 World Breastfeeding Day stands to remind everyone of the various economic and environmental benefits of breastfeeding as long term scarce health resources are preserved.

“Breastfeeding forms part of the sustainable food system,” she said, adding “Imagine that, there is no waste produced from bottles and packaging, there is no capital outlay, no recurrent expenses to purchase infant formula or spend unnecessary funds on hospital visits.

“Breastfeeding is a naturally renewable resource that has no additional packaging, shipping, or disposal costs.

“There are savings on electricity and fuel as breastfeeding does not require any of these for production. It also saves on the packaging which in turn saves the landfills and the oceans.

“Breastfeeding nurtures the child, builds the family, sustains national development and saves the planet.”

Breast milk, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, provide the ideal nutrition for infants as it has a near-perfect mix of vitamins, protein, fat and everything a baby needs to grow.

WebMD, an online health portal, notes that they are all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula.

According to WebMD “Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.

“Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhoea. They also have fewer hospitalisations and trips to the doctor,” it stated.

The WHO has also over the years advocated for breastfeeding, noting that it provides every child with the best possible start in life.

According to WHO, breastfeeding “delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits to both children and mothers. And it forms part of a sustainable food system.

“But while breastfeeding is a natural process, it is not always easy. Mothers need support – both to get started and to sustain breastfeeding,” it said

Globally, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually on August 1-7, to re-emphasise the benefits of breastfeeding.

This year’s event which runs throughout this week is themed, “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”.

The WHO said skilled counselling services can ensure that mothers and families receive support, along with the information, advice, and reassurance they need to nourish their babies optimally.

“Breastfeeding counselling can help mothers to build confidence while respecting their circumstances and choices.

“Counselling can empower women to overcome challenges and prevent feeding and care practices that may interfere with optimal breastfeedings, such as the provision of unnecessary liquids, foods, and breast milk substitutes to infants and young children.”

The UN health body noted that improving access to skilled counselling for breastfeeding can extend the duration of breastfeeding and promote exclusive breastfeeding, with benefits for babies, families and economies.

How I Found My Way to Advocating for Safe Water and Sanitation in Nigeria and Beyond - By Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, founder-president of Wellbeing Foundation Africa


We must ensure that health care workers everywhere have access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.


In African traditional folklore, we have a proverb: “Every dance starts with a clap.” Just watch us and you’ll find this proverb is indeed true. We clap at least once from a primordial pre-instinct, to find our rhythm and set the tone, before we begin to dip, sway, and swirl.

But we have another African proverb that says, “You cannot clap with one hand.” And so I embarked on clapping with two hands, advocating on behalf of women, girls, and children around the world.

In hindsight, the roots of my global work are found in my baby’s nursery. I was expecting twins but tragically, only one child would survive. I returned home with my new baby daughter and replicated in the nursery what I had seen in the neonatal intensive care unit. I quickly had water pipes installed so her nursery would have a handwashing basin just inside by the door. I knew for my newborn to be safe, I needed two clean hands.

In 2003, I became a very young and very new First Lady to the north-central Nigerian state of Kwara, where my husband was elected governor. I took time to get to know the people, their needs, and the basic services that existed for Kwara’s 3 million inhabitants. I would visit dilapidated hospitals and schools, untouched since 1974. Whenever I wanted to shake hands or hold a baby, and wished to wash my hands, water was not available and there was invariably a 10-minute or more delay while someone would have to fetch a bowl of water from a well, borehole, or tank.

I continue to encounter the inability to wash hands in places of critical care. In April 2018, I visited my Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s MamaCare Midwives Antenatal and Postnatal Session at a Primary Health Care Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. I was there to encourage mothers to allow their infants to receive oral polio vaccinations during World Immunisation Week. When I asked to wash my hands, I again faced that delay while a bucket of water was fetched.

At home that evening, I looked into current data and found that only 5% of health facilities in Nigeria have combined basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. The absence of WASH during birth plagues 17 million women across least-developed countries every year. It is clear that we are still trying to clap with one hand.

Now the need for two clean hands is being recognized as more urgent than ever — and perhaps that’s the only good news to come from the coronavirus pandemic. The handwashing that the WASH community has so long advocated for has come out of its echo chamber, and become a thunderous resounding clap for global health.

COVID-19 has made “wash your hands” a daily adage and has reinforced the need to invest in safe and dignified health care. This renewed urgency calls us to ensure that the WASH and health communities unite indivisibly to activate, actualise, and accelerate WASH investments to match the behavioural change.

I see this need in my country. Despite the slower pace of COVID-19 across the African continent, Nigeria’s eventual burden could be one of the worst in Africa. Reality on the ground is showing weak health systems already stretched to a breaking point, according to reports from medical and public health officials.

Valuable programs are gaining needed steam, like WaterAid’s “Clean Nigeria” campaign for homes and hospitals, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s global “Teach Clean” campaign, to achieve infection prevention and control, and prevent maternal and newborn sepsis.

Our midwives persevere. As our “WASH for Wellbeing” midwives work every day, teaching over 8,000 young pregnant and nursing mothers and their medical colleagues in hundreds of health facilities, they are my frontline warriors for WASH. Too often, the photos they send me still show a water tank in the far distance, and a bucket of water on a table.

In this inaugural UN Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we must ensure that health care workers everywhere have access to WASH. Hands, all around the world, are working tirelessly. Let’s be sure they can do so, safely.

Join the momentum tomorrow! From the mountains for Nepal to leadership at USAID, Water.org, the Vatican, and funders:

First Anniversary Leaders Gathering: WASH in Healthcare Facilities: Accelerating Action to Meet the Urgent Need
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Event Time: 8 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. US EDT
https://www.facebook.com/globalwaterchallenge/posts/10158631777117249



About the Author

As Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Mrs Toyin Saraki is a Nigerian philanthropist with two decades of advocacy covering maternal, newborn and child health, gender-based discrimination and violence, improving education, socio-economic empowerment and community livelihoods in Africa.

Justice for Uwa and Tina: Let me be clear: we are failing women and girls - HE Toyin Saraki


This year marked the start of the United Nations’ Decade of Delivery, where we were promised that things would change for the empowerment of women and girls. Armed with research to prove how much better off our world would be with the rights of women and girls realised, we in the global advocacy community declared that it is well past time to start living in a gender equal reality.

But instead of keeping our promise to protect and empower women and girls, in Nigeria in 2020, we are still burying them.
Vera Uwaila “Uwa” Omozuwa was a 22-year-old student at the University of Benin who went to her church to read in a quiet space when she was brutally raped. The viral photos of her bludgeoned body have reverberated around the world, adding fire to the flames of the conversation about brutality, violence and lack of a framework for social justice and responsibility; she died of her injuries on 30 May.

In Lagos, 16-year-old Tina Ezekwe was trying to get on a bus when a drunken, corrupt police officer attempted to bribe the driver, leading to a sloppy confrontation and shots fired: the bullet pierced through the upper left side of her lap. The battle to save her life lasted for two days, and she died on 28 May.

In Jigawa, Jennifer, a twelve year old girl was allegedly raped by 11 men, who have been arrested.

In 2018, promising young girls Anita Akapson and Linda Angela Agwetu were murdered in similar, senseless fashion, again by trigger-happy officers around their own homes. These cases spotlight what has been blindingly evident since the forced abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi Schoolgirls: we are failing our women and girls.

Last year I was honoured to join the International Conference on Population and Development, full of hope to deepen Nigeria’s consultations on gender. I called to build political commitment from leaders and policymakers to speak out, condemning violence against women. But with the heartless, thoughtless violent deaths of Uwa and Tina it is clear that we have thus far failed to engage leaders and policymakers to implement meaningful mechanisms to protect them.

I had declared in 2018, after the death of another innocent girl victim of sexual and gender based violence, Ochanya, that we were standing on a gender precipice from where good actions could flow, if together, we determinedly took the right actions to protect women and girls.

I declared that I envisaged a world where everyone can decide freely when to have children, and has the information, education and means to do so. With sexual and reproductive health care deemed “non-essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and consequent restrictions implemented all over the world, we have failed to protect women’s rights to her own body.

At the United Kingdom-France consultations on the Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative last year, we said with such hope that we would uphold the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on women peace and security. While at the African Women Leadership Network and the African Union with UNWomen last year, we vowed to invest in women’s groups, to ensure that we give women the leadership opportunities to better shape their own futures, and we did. But when globally, only 1% of gender equality funding is going to women’s groups, we have failed to invest in women.

At the Commonwealth of Nations last year, we made a promise of No More Violence, yet, here we are, from our leaders, and right down to our grassroots, failing women and girls. Frankly, I am outraged. The gruesome deaths of Uwa and Tina are a visceral notice of our failure in Nigeria, and that’s why I am joining the WACOL Tamar SARC and Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation to call for radical reform of our police, to end the impunity of sexual violence against women and girls. In the name of all our global and national commitments to women and girls, the Nigerian state must make systemic changes to protect our young girls. Uwa and Tina’s lives will not be lost in vain.

‘Their lives will not be lost in vain’ — Toyin Saraki seeks justice for UNIBEN student, Tina


Toyin Saraki, wife of Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has sought justice for Vera Omozuwa and Tina Ezekwe, two Nigerian ladies, saying that “their lives will not be lost in vain.”

Tina was last week hit by a stray bullet after a police officer fired shots in a bid to apprehend a bus driver at the Iyana-Oworo area of Lagos.

At about the same time, Uwa, a microbiology student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo, died after she was attacked and raped while studying in a church in Benin.

Their deaths have triggered a wave of outrage and protests on social media platforms in the past days.

Joining public figures who have pressured both the federal government and security agencies to arrest the situation, Toyin, in a blog post on Monday, also lamented that Nigeria is failing its “women and girls”.

Re-echoing the country’s resolution in the international community, the former senate president’s wife charged the federal government to make systemic changes towards protecting young girls.

“This year marked the start of the United Nations’ Decade of Delivery, where we were promised that things would change for the empowerment of women and girls,” she wrote.

“Armed with research to prove how much better off our world would be with the rights of women and girls realised, we declared that it is well past time to start living in a gender-equal reality.

“But instead of keeping our promise, in Nigeria in 2020, we are still burying them. Uwa was a 22-year-old student who went to her church to read in a quiet space when she was brutally raped.

“The viral photos of her bludgeoned body have reverberated around the world, adding fire to the flames of the conversation about brutality, violence, and lack of a framework for social justice.

“In Lagos, 16-year-old Tina Ezekwe was trying to get on a bus when a drunken, corrupt police officer attempted to bribe the driver, leading to a sloppy confrontation and shots fired.”

Toyin also listed Nigeria’s yet-to-be-realised commitments to the girl child.

“In 2018, promising young girls Anita Akapson and Linda Angela Agwetu were murdered in similar, senseless fashion, again by trigger-happy officers around their own homes,” she added.

“These cases spotlight what has been blindingly evident since the forced abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi Schoolgirls: we are failing our women and girls.

“But when globally, only 1% of gender equality funding is going to women’s groups, we have failed to invest in women.

“In the name of all our global and national commitments to women and girls, Nigeria must make systemic changes to protect our young girls. Uwa and Tina’s lives will not be lost in vain.”

Toyin Saraki Celebrates World Africa Day

Global Health Advocate, Healthcare Philanthropist and the Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation, Toyin Saraki, has joined other prominent leaders to celebrate the World Africa Day

Taking to her Instagram handle to express her view, Toyin, the wife of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki wrote, “As we mark Africa Day, I am encouraged by the milestones we have achieved, standing together as one united Africa, towards providing equity in health access since the Alma Ata declaration of 1978.⁣
⁣
Personally, a high point for Nigeria was in 2018 when Nigeria’s National Assembly, chaired by my husband H.E. Dr Bukola Saraki MBBS, CON, helped establish the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. It was a key and catalytic step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage for our citizens.⁣
⁣
As the coronavirus pandemic puts health systems to unprecedented tests, I call on our African leaders, of governments, of policies, and of innovative actions, to rise to the challenge of the #AfricaWeWant. We must accelerate investments and actions to meet the health needs of our citizens by strengthening primary health care services with efficient diagnostics, referrals and treatment. Let’s walk the talk for primary health care and wellbeing.⁣
⁣
As we stand together in rallying the right resources to combat COVID-19, I also call for the reinforcement and replenishment of the 2001 Abuja Declaration—a pledge made by the African Union, standing as one, promising to increase their health budget to at least 15% of the state’s annual budget. The @WHO reported in 2010 that only one African country had reached that target. Today in 2020, we must not relent in replenishing and reinforcing those promises to ensure that every citizen can access an efficient system of quality health”.

I spent every kobo to treat pregnant injured woman in India – Toyin Saraki


Global health champion/ambassador and Founder-President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, has narrated the story of a pregnant woman who was sent to India for treatment after sustaining spinal injury in a car accident.

Mrs Saraki said the woman identified simply as Fayokemi was WBFA's first beneficiary and that she decided to share her story when she stumbled on a message from the woman.

“I came across a message from the very first @wellbeingafrica beneficiary today, and I must share her story. We need stories of hope, especially now,” she wrote on Twitter on Monday evening.

“Fayokemi had been injured from neck down in a car accident when I found her in intensive care at U of Ilorin teaching hospital. She was 10 weeks pregnant.

“I raised $50K to fly her to India for spinal repair, and I spent every last kobo I had spare, so I could not go with them, but her mother and husband accompanied her. The operation was so tricky and fragile to repair her spine while pregnant.”

The wife of the former Senate President continued: “But she and her son Precious survived. And after months and months of hard physio work, they thrived.”

The boy, according to her, turns 15 this week.

“We don’t always get the privilege of seeing the fruits of our labour: the strong and healthy mothers and children growing up together in loving homes that strengthen our communities,” she added.

“I am so proud of @wellbeingafrica and overjoyed to hear from a healthy, happy Fayokemi today.”

Toyin Saraki: A true humanitarian, still caring for Kwarans’ health and wellbeing 10yrs after


Health Organisation marks International Day of the Midwife, and World Hygiene Day concurrently on Tuesday, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Alaafia Kwara Initiative has assured health workers in Kwara State of support.

The initiative established by former Kwara First Lady, Toyin Saraki, in a statement made available to National Pilot by Kwara Mission Manager of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Isaac Ejakegbe, Saraki stressed the invaluable role of the health care giver of development of health sector.

“The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and I have long known the invaluable role that midwives play in changing health outcomes for women and children. When we began our journey to improve maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in 2004, we placed midwives at the centre of WBFA programs and policies.

“From our early interventions, the renovation and rehabilitation of the dilapidated Children Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, donation of children’s isolation ward, playroom and midwives and nurses station, ambulance and water sanitation and hygiene services rectification, and our first community assistance program, the Indigent Medical Fund providing payment for essential maternity and child health services delivered to needy patients at state and federal government health facilities in the Kwara State, to donation of pulse oximeters and childcare crèche at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

“Through our 2011 Alaafia Universal Health Care Fund providing Community Health Insurance Capacitation Grants for 5000 health-seeking subscribers annually, and thereby guaranteeing remuneration for the medical workers that serve them, we have continued to support the recognition, quality improvement and respect for midwives and nurses as medical professionals in Kwara State.”

“In 2010, we advocated for the passage of the Kwara State Safe Maternity Services Bill – the first of its kind in Nigeria – that guaranteed funding for midwives – matching this in 2016 Respectful Maternity Care Charter Program in partnership with the White Ribbon Alliance.

She added that all the interventions were because Nigeria has a long tradition of midwifery, with a vibrant, active community of dedicated midwives that have an unparalleled understanding of community needs and community sensitivities.

“We learnt so much from Nigeria’s midwives, and we are grateful for their continued insight and support of our Mamacare360 Antenatal and Postnatal Education Program and Wellbeing For Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programs in Kwara State, as well as Lagos, Osun, and Kaduna States, and the Nation’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“In April 2015, as members and commitment makers of the United Nations Secretary General’s Every Woman Every Child Initiative, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa was delighted to facilitate the construction, establishment and donation of the ultra-modern Eruku Maternity Referral Centre to the Kwara State Government, in collaboration with global and national partners – bringing the highest global standard of specialist maternity referral care services to Kwara State – in conjunction with providing state of the art medical equipment and energy-efficient solar-sourced power generation.

“As a contribution to Nigeria’s effort to combat and control the coronavirus pandemic, alongside our food bank palliatives distribution to ease the burden of lockdown social distancing on the vulnerable citizens well established Mamacare360 Antenatal and Postnatal Care Services for pregnant and nursing mothers in the state, and our Wellbeing For WASH initiative for infection prevention and control, we have also launched the innovative and freely accessible COVID-19 self-checker triage web-based application – I encourage every citizen to check themselves at covid19.wbfafrica,org every 7 days, and report symptoms promptly to state and federal health authorities for prompt assistance”

Saraki then assured concluded her Kwara State Healthworkers of her unflinching support, stating:
“As we mark the 2020 International Day of the Midwife on 5th May, alongside World Hygiene Day, and International Day of The Nurse on 12th May, the Wellbeing Foundation continues to support Midwives and Nurses in Kwara State through our strategic and innovative Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care program implementation to improve the availability and quality of maternity services in Kwara State.

“We have donated 11 Simulation Skills Laboratories at public hospitals and continue to deliver quality improvement skills to 600 master-trainers and beneficial impact to 62,800 medical workers in 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

“Throughout the Year of the Midwife and Nurse, and this Decade Of Action And Delivery towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we continue to clap for midwives and nurses as essential carers, and applaud key medical workers with hand hygiene in health facilities and WASH.”
Mrs Toyin Saraki is Global Goodwill Ambassador to the International Confederation of midwives, which represents over a million midwives and 600 midwifery associations in 136 countries.

A true humanitarian, still caring for Kwarans Health And Wellbeing 10 years after.

FORTIFY AND THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE IRON DEFICIENCY AND IMPROVE MATERNAL SURVIVAL IN WEST AFRICA

Partnership combines private sector ingenuity with local know-how and leadership to save the lives of millions of women and children suffering from iron deficiency

May 6, 2020- CHICAGO, Illinois and LAGOS, NIGERIA --
U.S.-based Fortify and Nigeria-based Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) today announce a formal partnership to address iron deficiency – the major underlying cause of maternal deaths during childbirth in developing countries.

Iron deficiency is the most widespread public health disorder in the world, affecting at least one-third of the global population. In the absence of adequate interventions, Fortify works to drive innovation in the private sector, guiding companies to add iron to everyday meals through the fortification of simple, healthy foods consumed by most families.

The World Bank and the Copenhagen Consensus have both ranked food fortification as one of the best investments in development in terms of cost effectiveness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), food-based approaches represent the most desirable and sustainable method of preventing micronutrient malnutrition.

Fortify’s efforts with leading food producers have already resulted in the monthly production of 20 million sachets of iron-fortified tomato paste varieties in Nigeria alone – an historic milestone in food fortification as it is the first-ever, iron fortified tomato-based product. Production and distribution in Ghana are expected later this year.

The partnership with the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a Nigeria-based non-governmental organization dedicated to maternal, newborn and child health, brings substantial resources to support Fortify’s work. In addition to its deep relationships with governments and institutions in West Africa and globally, WBFA has the infrastructure and network to educate community health workers and families about the potentially life-saving benefit of consuming this improved version of tomato paste, a West African staple.

Iron is the essential element necessary for building blood. In developing countries, the main cause of iron deficiency is low iron bioavailability of the diet. Premenopausal women are particularly vulnerable due to iron loss in menstrual blood and the increased iron demands of pregnancy. The overall global prevalence of anemia is just over 40% among two highly vulnerable populations: women aged 15–49 years and children under the age of five. In developing countries, the prevalence exceeds 50%. Iron deficiency can lead to premature labor, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight of the infant, birth asphyxia, neonatal anemia, and death (of both the mother and the child). The consequences of iron deficiency not only affect personal health, but the economic health of communities and countries as well.

“Joining forces with the Wellbeing Foundation at this juncture could not be better timing. Now that iron-fortified tomato mixes are reaching even the most rural villages, we can jointly work to help educate health care workers and women about the importance of adding iron to their diets,” said Fortify’s Founder and CEO, Nancy Martin.

“Mrs. Saraki has been a leading voice in maternal, newborn and child health in Nigeria since serving as the First Lady of Kwara State in 2003, and knows how to reach and educate stakeholders at every level in Nigeria. She is also a recognized global voice for women, newborns and children, advising multiple organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations. We are especially pleased that Mrs. Saraki has recently accepted our invitation to serve as a member of Fortify’s Advisory Council.”

Mrs. Saraki commented, “When we began discussions with Fortify, I was struck by how elegant yet practical a solution this is for iron deficiency anemia in that tomato paste is already built into the food supply and is a big part of meals every African eats.”

“According to the WHO the benefits of ending iron deficiency anemia are substantial as timely treatment can restore personal health and raise national productivity levels by as much as 20%,” she continued.

“This new initiative will engage with First Ladies and policymakers across Africa in accelerated efforts to eradicate iron deficiency. I know how much impact First Ladies in Africa can bring to women, families and communities, particularly in improving maternal health outcomes due to their highly visible advocacy. Together, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Fortify are determined to end the devastating effects of iron deficiency on women and their families.”


About Fortify

Fortify was founded in 2012, when it began exploring market-based alternatives to iron fortified flour, which is mandated by some African governments, but is not widely distributed to the rural areas that make up nearly 70% of most African countries. In West Africa, Fortify determined that tomato paste, an important ingredient in most meals, would be the best food vehicle for iron fortification. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, a necessary nutrient to boost iron absorption. In 2015, Fortify presented to one of the largest tomato paste producers the opportunity to positively impact the health of its consumers while building market share. Also that year, Fortify’s Founder and CEO, Nancy Martin, introduced this tomato paste concept to a team of nutrition scientists at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Soon afterwards, USAID sponsored a study Identifying Potential New Food Vehicles for Fortification in West Africa, publishing a report in 2018 that showed high levels of tomato paste consumption: https://www.gainhealth.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/identifying-potential-new-food-vehicles-for-fortification-in-west-africa-2018.pdf.

For more information, visit www.fortifyfood.org or follow @FortifyAfrica


About Wellbeing Foundation Africa

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa was founded in 2004 by Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki with the aim of improving health outcomes for women, infants, and children. WBFA combines programs with advocacy work in Nigeria and around the world. More than 200,000 women have taken part in WBFA’s flagship ‘MamaCare’ classes in Nigeria. WBFA midwives transform the lives of mothers, their children, and their communities by providing healthcare training to a global standard. In 2018 the organization launched a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) program and has worked with partners such as Global Water 2020 to save lives and meet global health goals in the countries it serves. For more information, visit https://www.wbfafrica.org.

“On International Day Of The Midwife, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa Alaafia Kwara Initiative Wishes All Midwives and Nurses In Kwara State A Happy Year Of The Midwife And Nurse 2020”

As the World Health Organisation marks International Day of the Midwife, and World Hygiene Day concurrently on 5th May, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s Alaafia Kwara Initiative established by Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Former First Lady has extended warm felicitations to all midwives in Kwara State.

In a Goodwill Statement made available by Mr Isaac Ejakegbe, Kwara Mission Manager of the non-governmental organisation, Mrs Toyin Saraki stated:

“The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and I have long known the invaluable role that midwives play in changing health outcomes for women and children. When we began our journey to improve maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in 2004, we placed midwives at the centre of WBFA programs and policies.”

“From our early interventions, the renovation and rehabilitation of the dilapidated Childrens Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, donation of children’s isolation ward, playroom and midwives and nurses station, ambulance and water sanitation and hygiene services rectification, and our first community assistance program, the Indigent Medical Fund providing payment for essential maternity and child health services delivered to needy patients at state and federal government health facilities in the Kwara State, to donation of pulse oximeters and childcare crèche at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Through our 2011 Alaafia Universal Health Care Fund providing Community Health Insurance Capacitation Grants for 5000 health-seeking subscribers annually, and thereby guaranteeing remuneration for the medical workers that serve them, we have continued to support the recognition, quality improvement and respect for midwives and nurses as medical professionals in Kwara State.”

“In 2010, we advocated for the passage of the Kwara State Safe Maternity Services Bill - the first of its kind in Nigeria - that guaranteed funding for midwives – matching this in 2016 Respectful Maternity Care Charter Program in partnership with the White Ribbon Alliance. We did this because Nigeria has a long tradition of midwifery, with a vibrant, active community of dedicated midwives that have an unparalleled understanding of community needs and community sensitivities, and we worked closely with them to develop our interventions. We learnt so much from Nigeria’s midwives, and we are grateful for their continued insight and support of our Mamacare360 Antenatal and Postnatal Education Program and Wellbeing For Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programs in Kwara State, as well as Lagos, Osun, and Kaduna States, and the Nation’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

“In April 2015, as members and commitment makers of the United Nations Secretary General’s Every Woman Every Child Initiative, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa was delighted to facilitate the construction, establishment and donation of the ultra-modern Eruku Maternity Referral Centre to the Kwara State Government, in collaboration with global and national partners – bringing the highest global standard of specialist maternity referral care services to Kwara State – in conjunction with providing state of the art medical equipment and energy-efficient solar-sourced power generation.”

“As a contribution to Nigeria’s effort to combat and control the coronavirus pandemic, alongside our food bank palliatives distribution to ease the burden of lockdown social distancing on the vulnerable citizens well established Mamacare360 Antenatal and Postnatal Care Services for pregnant and nursing mothers in the state, and our Wellbeing For WASH initiative for infection prevention and control, we have also launched the innovative and freely accessible COVID-19 self-checker triage web-based application – I encourage every citizen to check themselves at covid19.wbfafrica,org every 7 days, and report symptoms promptly to state and federal health authorities for prompt assistance”

Mrs Saraki concluded her goodwill statement, encouraging Kwara State Healthworkers of her unflinching support, continued for almost two decades, stating:

“As we mark the 2020 International Day of the Midwife on 5th May, alongside World Hygiene Day, and International Day of The Nurse on 12th May, the Wellbeing Foundation continues to support Midwives and Nurses in Kwara State through our strategic and innovative Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care program implementation to improve the availability and quality of maternity services in Kwara State. We have donated 11 Simulation Skills Laboratories at public hospitals and continue to deliver quality improvement skills to 600 master-trainers and beneficial impact to 62,800 medical workers in 16 Local Government Areas of the State. Throughout the Year of the Midwife and Nurse, and this Decade Of Action And Delivery towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, we continue to clap for midwives and nurses as essential carers, and applaud key medical workers with hand hygiene in health facilities and WASH.”

///ENDS///


ABOUT ALAAFIA KWARA INITIATIVE

Alaafia Kwara - A Wellbeing Foundation Africa Initiative promotes and positively impacts the health and wellbeing of women and children, families and communities in Kwara State. The Alaafia Kwara Initiative was established by Her Excellency Toyin Ojora Saraki in 2004, as First Lady of Kwara State 2003 - 2011, to engender and empower key strategies and solutions towards achieving progress in the key measurable indices set out by the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, with program interventions and initiatives guided by the targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.



ABOUT THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA

Through a multi-layered strategy of research, advocacy, policy development, community engagement, philanthropy and education, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa devises and implements global frontline impact programs which boldly deliver upon the stated objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Three, Five, and Six: Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is in Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, a member of the United Nations Global Compact, the Every Woman Every Child Initiative, the Global Handwashing Partnership, the WHO Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health, and serves as Nigeria Host-Organisation for the White Ribbon Alliance Global.

Wellbeing Foundation Africa's Midwives are paving the way for better hand hygiene in Lagos, Nigeria

COVID-19 is a reminder of the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing diseases and improving health outcomes. As the first hands to touch a newborn baby, midwives protect the lives of mothers, their children, and their communities. In Lagos, Nigeria, a team of midwives are using their expertise to pave the way for better hand hygiene, ensuring safer birth practices and healthier lives for mothers and children.

Eunice Akhigbe, Folarin Modupe Ayoola, and Sorunke Opeoluwa Deborah are all midwives for Wellbeing Foundation Africa. Each brings a unique perspective to the support and care of expecting mothers during the life changing period between conception through delivery.


The need for clean hands

Hand hygiene is a necessary practice in infection and prevention control in healthcare facilities. For expectant mothers, it is especially important to maintain a hygienic environment to prevent infection transmission and high rates of maternal and neonatal sepsis. For midwives, clean hands are a necessity to ensure safe care. Sorunke states: “Hand hygiene is sacrosanct in prevention of disease. I believe that healthy hands = healthy body.”

Globally, 2 out 5 healthcare facilities lack hand hygiene at points of care. In Nigeria, only 31% of healthcare facilities have access to a basic hand hygiene facility. “This exposes the patient to being infected and thereby extending their hospital stay. This means increased cost for both patients and the hospital,” says Folarin.

Poor hand hygiene affects both the healthcare workers and patients. Yet, prior to Wellbeing Foundation’s MamaCare360 initiative, facility staff had no consistent training on hand hygiene and other WASH practices. The lack of hand hygiene practice among healthcare staff could contribute to Nigeria’s high newborn mortality rate.

When the Wellbeing team conducted a survey within the healthcare facilities in which they worked, hand hygiene was determined as a high priority. These results reinforced the importance of WASH in Wellbeing’s programming.


Training and reminders

The midwives have worked with hospital management to ensure hand hygiene trainings were in place. Hand hygiene posters were distributed to the facilities and charge nurses were encouraged to hang posters at strategic places to ensure visibility during key moments of care. Eunice says, “We emphasized the training and retraining of staff and made sure this cascades down to the frontline health workers and even non-medical staff to improve hand hygiene in the facility.”

The Wellbeing midwives are committed to delivering hand hygiene messages not only to the facility staff, but to the mothers that they support as well. They teach pregnant and newly delivered mothers the importance of all of the essential elements for clean care to encourage safer birth practices through their MamaCare classes. These classes take place on a weekly basis, emphasizing key skills around the importance of hygiene for maternal, newborn, and child survival.


Sustaining hand hygiene in healthcare settings

Beyond their trainings, the midwives also provide the supplies needed to ensure proper hand hygiene by distributing soap and alcohol-based hand rub throughout the healthcare facilities in which they work. They also convinced hospital management to adopt hand hygiene policies that will keep staff accountable for their hand hygiene practices.

While the midwives had challenges in sustaining behavior change, including initial resistance to the program and ensuring provision of materials, their vigilance proved to be successful. A post-intervention survey was conducted revealing a 70% hand hygiene compliance rate, a sharp increase from the baseline.


Midwives leading the way as hand hygiene heroes

Because of the team’s work, the healthcare facilities now have a proper infection and prevention protocol in place. “Seeing the facilities adopt the system gives me encouragement that infections rates will reduce,” says Folarin.

By improving access and increasing training opportunities, the Wellbeing midwives paved the way for improved hand hygiene in healthcare facilities across Lagos. This provides the foundation for continuous wellbeing. Eunice adds, “There was an increase in productivity of healthcare workers because of the hand hygiene policy.” This highlights the need to address the issue at different levels to see change. According to Sorunke, “the manner of approach will determine its sustainability.”

As caregivers and healthcare professionals, midwives have the responsibility of ensuring clean hands for all. For these women, however, midwifery is not just a job, but also a way of life. Their passion is what drives them to be hand hygiene heroes because without hand hygiene, there is no clean care.

Wellbeing Foundation Africa's Midwife in Nigeria uses nutrition knowledge to help women have safer, healthier pregnancies


Rita Momoh is a MamaCare360 midwife at the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in Abuja, Nigeria. With 15 years of experience and two children of her own, she understands the struggles facing pregnant women in the country. One of the biggest challenges is anaemia, which has serious health risks for both mother and child.

More than 60% of all pregnant women in Nigeria experience anaemia of some kind. It increases the risk of maternal mortality, impacts the wellbeing and development of the infant, and can lead to low birthweight and stunting of the child. Yet only 31% of women in Nigeria take iron-folic acid tablets for the recommended 90 days or more during their pregnancy, and 31% of pregnant women do not take them at all.

“Nigerian women either don’t have access to nutritious food, or they don’t know how to balance their meals,” said Rita. “There is nobody they can ask for advice. I have seen so many women who miscarried or even died as a result of malnutrition and anaemia.”
In Nigeria, nurses and midwives like Rita are key providers of maternal healthcare services, including antenatal care, postnatal care and family planning. As frontline healthcare providers, nurses and midwives are well-positioned to provide critical nutrition interventions to ensure that mothers and infants are well-nourished and healthy. However, most nurses and midwives lack sufficient training, knowledge and skills related to nutrition.

Every three years, nurses and midwives in Nigeria must undergo training in selected areas to update their knowledge and renew their professional licenses. Until 2019, no nutrition education or training was included in this program. Nutrition International, through Nutrition Leverage and Influence for Transformation (NLIFT), worked with UNFPA in Nigeria, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and state ministries to develop and integrate a maternal nutrition module into the curriculum.

When the time came for Rita to renew her license, she decided to take the nutrition training.

“The nutrition course was an eye-opener,” she said. “I realized how much has changed since I got my midwife degree. I learned new knowledge and new approaches. I promised myself that from now on, no woman whom I counsel will have to suffer from anaemia.”
After finishing the course, Rita put her newly acquired knowledge into practice. She started running group counseling sessions in the hospital to provide basic knowledge of hygiene and nutrition, creating a safe environment to encourage honest discussions. She also offers her patients private counseling and even home visits, making herself available for whatever they need.

“We do a lot of home visits,” said Rita. “When I come into someone’s house I try to observe how they prepare meals, how they hold their babies during breastfeeding, even how they take care of hygiene. I use laughter to make a connection. It builds a friendly atmosphere of trust that helps to change behaviours.”

More than 1,600 nurses and midwives have already been trained as part of the program. Thanks to the collaboration with the ministries, it has been integrated with the state-run nurse license renewal training. Every month new nurses are being trained who then apply their skills working with pregnant women. Sustainably ingrained in the state-run program, nutrition training has the potential to reach all nurses and midwives in Nigeria. Through them millions of women will gain invaluable knowledge about nutrition that can prevent anaemia and ensure safer, healthier pregnancies.

“Every day I’m waking up committed to making the lives of my patients better,” said Rita. “I have two kids of my own, but in a way, I feel connected with thousands of children in Nigeria who I helped bring to life. I’m rooting for them to realize their full potential.”


ENDS



ABOUT THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) was founded in 2004 by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, with the aim of improving health outcomes for women, infants and children. The Foundation combines programmes with advocacy work in Nigeria and around the world.
Through a multi-layered strategy of research, advocacy, policy development, community engagement, philanthropy and education, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa devises and implements programs which boldly deliver upon the stated objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Three, Five, and Six: Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively. All Wellbeing programs address multiple intersections between these three goals, including, but not limited to further education for midwives and frontline community health workers, improved education around water, sanitation and health (WASH) for life-saving healthy habits, advancement of early childhood mental and physical health development, and, the fundamental necessity of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls for a fair and just society.

He is very hale and hearty!
Enjoying his private life and of course he is monitoring his business as well, after all the stress he passed through in trying to make a difference in Nigerian Politics as the Best Senate President Nigeria has ever got.

THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA TOGETHER WITH POCKETPATIENTMD LAUNCH A POWERFUL E-HEALTH CHECK TOOL TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC IN NIGERIA


Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, founder of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa has just launched a powerful new e-health check tool in partnership with PocketPatientMD which will make free ‘COVID-19 Health Check’ available to all 200 million Nigerians.

The digital e-health tool - soon to be complemented by a mobile application and an offline version - will educate the public on how to stay healthy; provide users with information about whether or not they need to be tested for the Coronavirus; give public officials critical insights into vulnerable populations while providing early identification of potential COVID-19 hotspots around the country.

“This is a first-of-its-kind tool in the global fight against this pandemic. This health platform has the potential to be an effective early warning system, accelerating the response time of public health officials with limited resources, and giving every Nigerian accurate and immediate health advice”, commented Saraki who is also the Special Adviser to the World Health Organisation Africa Office Independent Advisory Group.
“Our efforts will complement the heroic efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and all those working to solve this unprecedented challenge.”

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), commending the efforts of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, noted how important it is “that Nigerians have the tools that enable them to take proactive steps to protect their health as we work hard to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.”

In the same vein, Dr. Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of the Federal Government of Nigeria's Response to COVID-19 has lauded the tool as "a welcome digital innovation to help Nigerians better understand their potential risks and symptoms and direct them to government resources for any required follow-up."

The e-health check tool works by asking users a few questions in order ascertain whether or not they need to get tested for the Coronavirus. In keeping with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s directive on staying home to curb the spread of the pandemic, the tool refers users directly to both the NCDC and state government hotlines for medical advice on how to get tested. Mark Wien, co-founder and CEO of PocketPatientMD explained that the focus of the partnership is to reach “as many Nigerians as possible, and we are honoured to partner with Her Excellency Toyin Saraki who has a global reputation as an advocate for the vulnerable and a champion of better healthcare for all.”

According to Herbert Wigwe, member of the Funding Committee, Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund, “we are fighting for our lives, and to win, it is critical we all come together as one. We welcome the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and PocketPatientMD initiative in contributing a platform to reach Nigerians of all ages with an easy self-check and referral to the appropriate public health authorities, nationwide.”

“We can only beat Coronavirus if we work together”, added Saraki. “Misinformation has become widespread as we respond to this pandemic and this ground-breaking approach will only be as effective as the number of people who sign up and join us.”

She implored Nigerians to “take the test every 7 days, or when their symptoms change, and to ensure that they are paying close attention to, and reporting any changes in their health status not only to stay safe but also to help keep our frontline health workers safe and our public officials aware.”

The e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.

For partnerships and collaborations please contact Christopher Roberts, Manager IT & Digital Health Technologies chris.roberts@wbfafrica.org

###


ABOUT THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) was founded in 2004 by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, with the aim of improving health outcomes for women, infants and children. The Foundation combines programmes with advocacy work in Nigeria and around the world.
Through a multi-layered strategy of research, advocacy, policy development, community engagement, philanthropy and education, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa devises and implements programs which boldly deliver upon the stated objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Three, Five, and Six: Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively. All Wellbeing programs address multiple intersections between these three goals, including, but not limited to further education for midwives and frontline community health workers, improved education around water, sanitation and health (WASH) for life-saving healthy habits, advancement of early childhood mental and physical health development, and, the fundamental necessity of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls for a fair and just society.
The WBFA supports the 8 pillars of WHO’s COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

###

ABOUT POCKETPATIENTMD

PocketPatientMD is a free, interoperable, fully integrated medical platform currently in common African languages, available online and offline. PocketPatientMD allows physicians and patients access to medical information anywhere, anytime, safely, securely and at no cost. Stakeholders throughout the health system can easily connect to one another, leading to, cost- effective, higher quality care.
PocketPatientMD works on any device (computer, phone, tablet) and with any operating system and can link to any lab, pharmacy, diagnostic centre, or application and be customised as needed.

COVID-19 Relief – Wellbeing Foundation Africa – Launches first electronic grocery voucher for pregnant and nursing mothers

As Nigeria continues to scale up efforts to control and combat the coronavirus, with enforced stay home lockdowns and social distancing in place in many states, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa – PocketPatientMD COVID-19 E-Health Check Platform in partnership with Jara Stores, an indigenous discount supermarket retail chain, have initiated an innovative nutrition palliative scheme for pregnant and nursing mothers, to ease the burden of hunger felt by vulnerable women and their newborns, using the power of technology.

Launching their Electronic Grocery Voucher on Monday 20th April – Wellbeing Foundation Africa Founder HE Toyin Saraki stated:

“Pregnant and nursing mothers who complete the COVID Health Check can now download a free electronic grocery voucher for Jara Supermarkets in Lagos and Edo States.” ⁣

“I am delighted to welcome our latest Wellbeing Foundation Africa PocketPatientMD partners, Jara Stores and MyPharmacyNg to the WellbeingAfrica – PPMD #COVID19 Alliance.”⁣

“Through this nutrition palliative initiative electronic groceries voucher—a first in Nigeria—we hope to help pregnant and nursing mothers, and their households, receive a variety of nutritious foods that best meet their needs.”

“In this unique partnership, pregnant and nursing mothers who have completed their COVID Health Check can opt to download a free electronic grocery voucher eligible for a grocery package at their nearest Jara Supermarket.”

“I am also grateful to MyPharmacy.Africa, who are now providing the tool through their network of 10 thousand pharmacies across Nigeria.”

⁣Jara Stores Corporate Relations Lead, Tolani Matthews stated:

Jara Stores is pleased to join the Wellbeing Foundation Africa PocketPatientMD COVID-19 Alliance, in mitigating the nutritional risk of vulnerable pregnant and newly delivered mothers during these uniquely challenging times – through redemption at our participating outlets, we hope our contribution of Nigeria’s first electronic grocery vouchers, free of charge, will enable this part of our society, mothers and their newborns to stay safe, eat well, and maintain necessary hygiene practices.”

Explaining further, Chris Roberts, Digital Health Lead, Wellbeing Foundation Africa commented:

“We have been encouraged by the high uptake of our powerful tool to help Nigerians self check for symptoms of COVID-19 from the safety of their homes, enabling and informing health seeking orientation and reporting through the appropriate channels at the National Centre for Disease Control, we urge everyone to recheck for risk symptoms every 7 days, while observing all rigour of adhering to hygiene practices and physical distancing.”

“The Wellbeing Foundation Africa – PocketPatientMd COVID-19 e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.”
www.wbfafrica.org


About The Wellbeing Foundation Africa PocketPatientMD COVID-19 Alliance

Wellbeing PocketPatientMD is a free, interoperable, fully integrated medical platform currently in common African languages, available online and offline. PocketPatientMD allows physicians and patients access to medical information anywhere, anytime, safely, securely and at no cost. Stakeholders throughout the health system can easily connect to one another, leading to, cost-effective, higher quality care. WellbeingAfrica PocketPatientMD works on any device (computer, phone, tablet) and with any operating system and can link to any lab, pharmacy, diagnostic centre, or application and be customised as needed.

About Jara Stores

JARA is Nigeria’s first discount supermarket and retail chain that is created by Nigerians, specifically for the Nigerian retail market. JARA aims to offer the best value on all the core products that satisfy all everyday food, self-care and household needs of Nigerians. www.jaranigeria.com

TOYIN SARAKI: NOW MORE THAN EVER, THE WORLD NEEDS A STRONG WHO | OPINION


The global community is racing to slow down the spread of COVID-19, a pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 160,000 people globally and sickened over 2 million more. As researchers and epidemiologists work around the clock to find a solution to halt both the deaths and the spread of the disease, our health workers are leaving loved ones at home to fight on the front lines of this crisis. I am moved daily by the stories of those doctors, midwives, nurses and other essential workers, who are working tirelessly to keep us safe, facing the dangers head-on, often with inadequate equipment and information.

Much of the world is locked down, isolated in households and communities, renewing and deploying the age-old and time-tested techniques of personal, social, surface and environmental hygiene, which all depend on the availability of clean water—an essential resource often scant where it is needed most. In Africa, the virus has spread to dozens of countries within weeks. Governments and health authorities across the continent are striving to limit widespread infections.

As always in times of crisis, the most vulnerable among us will be the ones hit hardest. Women and girls will suffer the most from this disease, and we have already seen a rise in gender-based violence and rights violations of pregnant women. Sufferers of domestic violence are now locked down with their abusers, isolated from their support systems, and other at-risk groups are unable to access routine services. The ripple effect of COVID-19 runs far beyond the disease itself. Humanity will bear the scars of this pandemic for many years to come.

Around the world, we are seeing countries and communities acting both together and apart. Fear is impeding mechanisms for an effective response to the coronavirus pandemic, giving rise to anger, racism, a rhetoric of blame and a dangerous spread of misinformation. Beyond health services, countries with large ratios of informal economic sector citizens are struggling to feed themselves, increasing the present hunger and suffering, as well as the undeniably unwelcome prospects of unrest.

Now more than ever, the world needs a well-functioning global organization designed to facilitate international coordination. The global community must unite behind a strong World Health Organization, an institution designed to address exactly this kind of global issue, our standard-bearer in these unprecedented times for this unprecedented virus. Countries need factual information based strictly in science with the benefit of a global perspective to ensure the most vulnerable communities have the support and information they need to survive.

The WHO works closely with governments to provide evidence-based guidelines for response and facilitate adaptation to the country context. Remote support is being provided to affected countries on the use of electronic data tools, so national health authorities can better understand the outbreak in their countries. Preparedness and response to previous epidemics is providing a firm foundation for many African countries to tackle the spread of COVID-19. Following their lead, which has urged nations to track and trace in order to tackle and treat the coronavirus, my organization, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, has partnered with Pocket Patient MD to launch an app-based digital platform that enables individuals across Nigeria to run a health check and identify early symptoms of COVID-19.

Where basic preventative measures by individuals and communities remain the most powerful tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the WHO is helping local authorities craft radio messaging and TV spots to inform the public about the risks of COVID-19 and what measures should be taken. The organization is also helping to counter disinformation and is guiding countries on setting up call centers to ensure the public is informed. Every country is a beneficiary and a partner of the WHO's work.

In the same vein, it is inconceivable to imagine a healthy future for our world without acknowledging the pivotal role of the United States in ensuring we realize it. The WHO has operated with the majority of its funding coming via the U.S. government throughout its 70-year history. We must recognize and respect the interconnected nature of our world, the relationships between countries and institutions, and the significant roles of member states in enabling such important institutions to function and deliver during these crucial times. We must prioritize unity and diplomacy at all levels.

COVID-19 is cruel in many ways. Many of us have been shaken by the loss of a loved one, made all the harder by separation enforced by lockdowns. But we cannot allow it to divide us, to pit us against one another—against countries, organizations and neighbors. If we allow that perspective to prevail, we will not only lose ourselves and experience greater isolation, we will also make ourselves more vulnerable. We must come together to manage this shared challenge, show solidarity as country and institutional leaders, advocates and allies, health workers and communities. We know, through hard-earned experience, that global cooperation is our only chance of success.

While many nations have attempted to build health security borders to combat the pandemic, COVID-19 is a stark reminder that humans are connected, and that what happens in one country can impact the everyday lives, social fabrics and economies of countries far away. Working individually does not shield us from the global framework in which we are operating - we are part of an interconnected world, and when we respond accordingly, we can more accurately and effectively combat our shared challenges.

Human connectivity holds power. The positive impact of our collective will to physically distance from one another alone shows what power we hold. In working together to promote unity, overcome global inequality and support measures to protect public health, we are striving to ensure that no one is left behind in our response to the pandemic.

Toyin Saraki is the founder and president of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, the inaugural global goodwill ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives and special adviser to the independent advisory group of the World Health Organization's regional office for Africa.

COVID-19 - Toyin Saraki's Wellbeing Foundation Africa Partners Pocketpatientmd With E-Health Check Tool

Mrs. Toyin Saraki's Wellbeing Foundation Africa has launched a new e-health check tool in partnership with PocketPatientMD to make free 'COVID-19 Health Check' available to all 200 million Nigerians.

The digital e-health tool, soon to be complemented by a mobile application and an offline version, aims to educate the public on how to stay healthy; provide users with information about whether or not they need to be tested for the COVID-19; give public officials critical insights into vulnerable populations while providing early identification of potential COVID-19 hotspots around the country.

Saraki, who is also the Special Adviser to the World Health Organisation Africa Office Independent Advisory Group, said: "This is a first-of-its-kind tool in the global fight against this pandemic."

According to her, the health platform has the potential to be an effective early warning system, accelerating the response time of public health officials with limited resources, and giving every Nigerian accurate and immediate health advice.

"Our efforts will complement the heroic efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and all those working to solve this unprecedented challenge," she pledged.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, commending the efforts of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, noted how important it is "that Nigerians have the tools that enable them to take proactive steps to protect their health as we work hard to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19".

The National Coordinator of the federal government's Response to COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, described the tool as "a welcome digital innovation to help Nigerians better understand their potential risks and symptoms and direct them to government resources for any required follow-up".

In keeping with the Federal Government of Nigeria's directive on staying home to curb the spread of the pandemic, the tool refers users directly to both the NCDC and state government hotlines for medical advice on how to get tested.

The Co-founder and CEO of PocketPatientMD, Mark Wien, expressed that the focus of the partnership was to reach as many Nigerians as possible. "We are honoured to partner Her Excellency, Toyin Saraki who has a global reputation as an advocate for the vulnerable and a champion of better healthcare for all".

The e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa partners with PocketPatientMD to help Nigeria combat the COVID-19 pandemic with a unique e-health check tool

Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, founder of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa has just launched a powerful new e-health check tool in partnership with PocketPatientMD which will make free ‘COVID-19 Health Check’ available to all 200 million Nigerians.

The digital e-health tool - soon to be complemented by a mobile application and an offline version - will educate the public on how to stay healthy; provide users with information about whether or not they need to be tested for the Coronavirus; give public officials critical insights into vulnerable populations while providing early identification of potential COVID-19 hotspots around the country.

“This is a first-of-its-kind tool in the global fight against this pandemic. This health platform has the potential to be an effective early warning system, accelerating the response time of public health officials with limited resources, and giving every Nigerian accurate and immediate health advice”, commented Saraki who is also the Special Adviser to the World Health Organisation Africa Office Independent Advisory Group.

“Our efforts will complement the heroic efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and all those working to solve this unprecedented challenge.”

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), commending the efforts of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, noted how important it is “that Nigerians have the tools that enable them to take proactive steps to protect their health as we work hard to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.”

In the same vein, Dr. Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of the Federal Government of Nigeria's Response to COVID-19 has lauded the tool as "a welcome digital innovation to help Nigerians better understand their potential risks and symptoms and direct them to government resources for any required follow-up."

The e-health check tool works by asking users a few questions in order ascertain whether or not they need to get tested for the Coronavirus. In keeping with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s directive on staying home to curb the spread of the pandemic, the tool refers users directly to both the NCDC and state government hotlines for medical advice on how to get tested.
Mark Wien, co-founder and CEO of PocketPatientMD explained that the focus of the partnership is to reach “as many Nigerians as possible, and we are honoured to partner with Her Excellency Toyin Saraki who has a global reputation as an advocate for the vulnerable and a champion of better healthcare for all.”

“We can only beat Coronavirus if we work together”, added Saraki. “Misinformation has become widespread as we respond to this pandemic and this ground-breaking approach will only be as effective as the number of people who sign up and join us.” She implored Nigerians to “take the test every 7 days, or when their symptoms change, and to ensure that they are paying close attention to, and reporting any changes in their health status not only to stay safe but also to help keep our frontline health workers safe and our public officials aware.”

Welcoming H.E. Toyin Saraki’s contribution to Nigeria’s fight to combat coronavirus, Herbert Wigwe, Co-Chair of CA-COVID stated: “COVID-19 affects us all and threatens our collective health (economic, social, psychological) and physical wellbeing Hence, the urgent need to work together to beat this common enemy. The battle ahead is daunting and bigger than any one organization. We are fighting for our lives, and to win —to survive— it is critical we all come together as one. We welcome the Wellbeing Foundation Africa PocketPatientMD initiative in contributing a platform to reach Nigerians of all ages with an easy self-check and referral to the appropriate public health authorities, nationwide.”

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa – PocketPatientMd COVID-19 e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.


###


ABOUT THE WELLBEING FOUNDATION AFRICA
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) was founded in 2004 by Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, with the aim of improving health outcomes for women, infants and children. The Foundation combines programmes with advocacy work in Nigeria and around the world.
Through a multi-layered strategy of research, advocacy, policy development, community engagement, philanthropy and education, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa devises and implements programs which boldly deliver upon the stated objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Three, Five, and Six: Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively.


All Wellbeing Foundation Africa programs address multiple intersections between these three goals, including, but not limited to further education for midwives and frontline community health workers, improved education around water, sanitation and health (WASH) for life-saving healthy habits, advancement of early childhood mental and physical health development, and, the fundamental necessity of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls for a fair and just society.
The WBFA supports the 8 pillars of WHO’s COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

###


ABOUT POCKETPATIENTMD
PocketPatientMD is a free, interoperable, fully integrated medical platform currently in common African languages, available online and offline. PocketPatientMD allows physicians and patients access to medical information anywhere, anytime, safely, securely and at no cost. Stakeholders throughout the health system can easily connect to one another, leading to, cost-effective, higher quality care.
PocketPatientMD works on any device (computer, phone, tablet) and with any operating system and can link to any lab, pharmacy, diagnostic centre, or application and be customised as needed.

https://pocketpatientmd.com/orgs/wellbeingfoundation/covid