Lifesaving device for early detection of postpartum hemorrhage
Dr. Hadiza Galadanch, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bayero University, Kano
What inspired you to work on maternal and child health?
Dr. Hadiza Galadansi: Nigeria, where I come from, has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. In 2020, more than 1 in 100 Nigerian women who gave birth did not survive. That’s not acceptable.
My life’s mission is to tackle maternal mortality. Even when it wasn’t obvious that a career in the medical field would be possible for women like me, I always wanted to do what I could to support the health of women and babies. I grew up in a patriarchal society where women had fewer opportunities than men. Thankfully, my father encouraged me to pursue education and medical training, and I was able to become the first female consultant, gynecologist, and professor of medicine in the Kano region of Nigeria. I am now fully committed to giving back by both supporting patients and serving as a mentor to young women starting out in the workforce.
Drapes for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). ©Gates Archive/Ed Thompson
How are maternal health innovations addressing global health challenges?
Dr. Hadiza Galadanci: The fact is that almost all maternal deaths are preventable. There are now many low-cost tools and medicines available to help fight infections and life-threatening conditions. The key is to ensure access for all women and their babies so they can have healthy pregnancies and safe births.
Take postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), for example. It is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, accounting for 70,000 deaths annually. The development of a simple tool called the Postpartum Hemorrhage Drape aims to change this situation. This greatly improves the ability of healthcare professionals to accurately measure blood loss and, when combined with appropriate treatment, can reduce the risk of severe bleeding by 60%. Ultimately, it reduces the chance of death. PPH drapes are just one example of how even the most basic innovations can have a dramatic impact on women’s lives.
Saving mothers’ lives has huge implications for other global health priorities, such as the survival and well-being of newborns. Healthy women are the foundation of healthy families, vibrant communities, and thriving economies.
