Support to Strengthen Maternal and Newborn Care in Maiduguri, Nigeria
As part of the SBBC (Safer Births Bundle of Care) expansion in Maiduguri, Nigeria, two additional health facilities, Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital and Mohammed Shuwa Memorial Hospital, have been supported to strengthen the quality of care for mothers and newborns. With funding from the Government of Norway, both facilities received training mannequins and essential equipment to improve practical learning and response during delivery.
Text and photos: Mike Daniel Okaba
Published 05. May 2026Updated 07. May 2026
Beyond the equipment itself, a key part of this support has been working directly with health workers. Facility staff were trained on how to effectively use the tools in real life scenarios, helping to build confidence and improve decision making during critical moments in childbirth and newborn care.
Dedicated learning corners have also been introduced within the facilities. These spaces allow health workers to regularly practice and refresh their skills using simulation, making hands on learning a continuous part of their routine, not just a one-time training.
Each learning corner is equipped with tools such as the NeoBeat Newborn Heart Rate Meter, MamaNatalie Simulation Trainer, Moyo Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, Upright Bag and Mask, and Penguin Suction Device. Together, these are helping teams respond more quickly and effectively in delivery rooms.
At its core, this expansion is about making sure that more mothers and newborns receive safer, more timely care. By combining the right tools with ongoing practice and support, health workers are better prepared to handle complications and improve outcomes for the families they serve.
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