Nigerian Doctor, Hadiza Galadanci: Saving Mothers from PPH
Truly, the world is advancing, and so is healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, and women are at the forefront of this change. Innovations are materializing every day to help transform the lives of birthing mothers, and we’re all about telling stories of women not just leading and pushing boundaries but saving lives along the way.
Today’s highlight is Dr Hadiza Galadanci, a distinguished Nigerian obstetrics and gynecology professional who recently presented an innovative solution aimed at tackling the pressing issue of Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), an ailment responsible for countless maternal fatalities worldwide. Dr. Galadanci, who had earned international acclaim from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, currently stands as the first female Professor of Gynecology in Northern Nigeria. Her pioneering contributions, and records as we will explore in this article, have left an indelible mark in the field of maternal health. And with this innovation, she is poised to potentially save countless lives through her transformative research and innovations.
With Dr. Hadizas’ solutions, birthing mothers will have one less thing to worry about.
In this article—without the need for complex medical terms – we’re shining a light on a true hero who’s making childbirth safer and more accessible for millions of women across the world with her innovation from Northern Nigeria. So, settle in, ladies, as we uncover Dr. Hadiza’s innovative discovery and empowerment in the field of maternal health.
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci’s Presentation at The UN Headquarters and Her Role as a Medical Researcher
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, who is a renowned Nigerian obstetrics and gynecology professional, presented her groundbreaking research at the 2023 Goalkeepers event at the UN headquarters in New York during the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. As the first female Professor of Gynecology in northern Nigeria, She didn’t just speak of her accomplishments; she emphasized how her journey and experiences had led her to create solutions that could help to improve women’s maternal health and break down formidable barriers.
During her presentation, Dr. Galadanci introduced innovative solutions to address Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. She unveiled a calibrated obstetric drape, a simple yet ingenious tool that could swiftly and precisely measure blood loss during childbirth. In a busy labor ward, this innovation, a bedside companion, could mean the difference between life and death. This would also provide a critical tool for healthcare workers across the country.
Not only this, Dr. Galadanci’s profound understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare workers led her to introduce a 15-minute IV iron infusion for severe anemia treatment in pregnant women. This intervention could potentially revolutionize maternal care, offering a lifeline to those on the brink.
In her own words, she encapsulated her journey, stating, “I could save one or two lives at a time as an obstetrician, while I could save 100,000 lives by becoming a medical researcher, so I decided to focus my research on areas that affect the lives of women, such as PPH.”
Well, what’s the rave about PPH, you might ask? We’ve got it answered.
What is PPH?
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) isn’t just a distant concern; it’s a stark reality for millions of women around the world. Roughly 14 million women grapple with PPH every year, and shockingly, approximately 70,000 lose their lives to it annually.
Think about that for a moment – 70,000 lives, mothers who should be celebrating the birth of their babies, but instead face this terrifying threat. It’s a problem that knows no borders; it’s a global issue.
Dr. Galadanci’s E-MOTIVE study uncovered a startling fact. Half of the women who experience PPH are never even diagnosed. Why? Because healthcare workers are often stretched thin, struggling to pinpoint how much blood loss is too much.
Poised with these recurring problems, she discovered the simple calibrated obstetric drape as uncovered in her presentation could be a game-changer. It is ideally in simpler terms supposed to serve as a bedside assistant, providing quick and accurate measurements of blood loss. And in a busy labor ward, it can be the lifeline between a mother and her newborn.
Galadanci also challenged the standard approach to PPH treatment. Instead of delivering interventions one by one over several hours, she asked, “Why don’t we bundle these interventions, administering all five at once?” The result led to a 60% reduction in cases of severe bleeding.
With this solution at hand, it is becoming clearer that we don’t always need complex solutions to save lives. Sometimes, a simple change in protocol and a well-designed tool can have a massive impact. Dr. Galadanci’s work sheds light on this truth, showing that with the right tools and a dose of innovation, we can make significant strides in reducing maternal mortality caused by PPH.
How did Dr Galadanci Discover The PPH Solution?
Part of Dr. Hadiza Galadanci’s passion is deeply rooted in personal experiences. She had witnessed the devastating impact of excessive bleeding whilst conducting various childbirths, and these encounters have fueled her mission.
One poignant memory involves her first cousin, pregnant with her fourth child. Amidst labor, her cousin began to hemorrhage profusely, and her life hung in the balance. After a hysterectomy and multiple blood transfusions, her cousin survived, but the experience left a lasting imprint.
These personal encounters, amongst many others, continues to drive Dr. Galadanci to ensure that no woman faces such dire circumstances during childbirth. Her mission is not just professional; it’s deeply personal, born from a desire to spare others the pain and suffering she has witnessed.
In her words, “Using all the drugs I had tried to stop the bleeding. But it wasn’t working. She was looking up at me, begging me to look after her babies after her death. At that moment, it was hard to think as a physician.”
“Not everyone is so lucky to have a family member who is an obstetrician. I couldn’t stop thinking about how unfair that was”.
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci’s research and innovations in maternal healthcare are not mere statistics or achievements; they are lifelines for countless women and families. With this innovation, Dr. Galadanci has illuminated a path toward safer childbirth. She’s shown us that solutions don’t always need to be complex; sometimes, a simple change in protocol and a well-designed tool can be the catalyst for profound transformation.
Dr. Galadanci is pioneering a vision – a world where childbirth is safer, where mothers thrive, and where families flourish. It’s a vision worth championing, and with her tenacity leading the way, it’s a vision that’s becoming a reality.
And we’re all here for it!!!
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