Wellbeing Foundation Africa Commences Antenatal Classes In IDP Camps

Following the success of the #MaternalMonday antenatal classes held by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) at the IDP Camp Wassa Abuja, in commemoration of the International Migrants Day, WBFA announces its intention to extend its routine antenatal curriculum Class to expectant mothers at other IDP Camps.

This initiative was inspired by WBFA’s Founder – President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, who is also the Inaugural Goodwill Ambassador of the International Confederation of Midwives, an alliance of midwives associations from over 100 countries.

Having assessed the outcome of the initial antenatal class conducted at the IDP Camp in Wassa Abuja, Mrs. Toyin Saraki expressed her concerns about the heightened level of risk that pregnant women and their newborns face at the camps, due to malnutrition and overcrowded living conditions.

In her words “Pregnant women all over the world are the same; they all need support and information”. As the Save the Children Newborn Champion for Nigeria, Mrs. Saraki also expressed her concern about the health conditions at the IDP camps and how it impacts on the children. She highlighted the urgent need to take steps geared towards securing their immediate health and long-term future.

Armed with the knowledge of the fact that a woman’s need for information and willingness to make changes to her lifestyle is at its peak during pregnancy (Schrader McMillan et al, 2009), Mrs. Saraki and the Wellbeing Foundation will use WBFA’s #MaternalMonday antenatal class as a tool to educate expectant and new mothers about their health and that of their babies. WBFA’s Abuja programmes manager, Dr Yewande Ayoola stated “At WBFA, we are particularly committed to the health and wellbeing of women and children who have little or no control over their health.

By taking our antenatal classes to the IDP camps, we will not only equip expectant mothers with health information but also strengthen their resolve in childbirth and restore their dignity in motherhood” WBFA’s antenatal classes delivered in a respectable environment.,

In addition WBFA will distribute its Mamakit (containing all the essential health commodities that can transform any location - even an IDP camp - into a safe and clean birthing area), and goodybags – courtesy of Unilever Nigeria (containing Unilever’s Camay brand of personal hygiene products). WBFA also looks to incorporate the use of its hand-held Personal Health Records.

Our #MaternalMonday Antenatal Classes are currently being run in the Lagos and Kwara metropolis; have helped several women through pregnancy and safe delivery recording zero maternal and/or child deaths.

According to Mrs Eunice Akhigbe, WBFA’s Midwifery programme officer “We hope to achieve the same level of success at the IDP Camps, as we strongly believe that no pregnant woman should die while giving life or lose the life she is bringing forth, due to preventable causes. We remain committed to advocating for improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services for women, children and young girls”.