TAConnect has expanded its technical assistance for maternal and newborn health in Kaduna State following the successful transition of nine health facilities into its support portfolio. The milestone marks the next phase of the Gates Foundation-supported initiative, strengthening the sustainability of evidence-based interventions while advancing an integrated approach to improving the quality of maternal and newborn care.
The formal transition of facilities previously supported by the African Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) to TAConnect was endorsed during a high-level meeting convened by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, bringing together representatives of the State Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, implementing partners, and champions from supported health facilities.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress in implementing the Early Detection of Postpartum Haemorrhage and Treatment using the E-MOTIVE care bundle (E-MOTIVE), discuss transition arrangements, assess the availability of maternal and newborn health commodities, and agree on strategies to sustain and strengthen quality maternal and newborn health services. With the endorsement of the Kaduna State Government and key stakeholders, TAConnect will now provide technical assistance to ensure continuity of implementation while strengthening coordination, capacity building, and quality improvement across the transitioned facilities.
The meeting also introduced stakeholders to the Training for Emergency Action, Management and Workflows in Midwifery and Obstetrics/Neonatal Care (TEAM OB/NEO) initiative, a comprehensive quality improvement approach designed to strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care. By promoting multidisciplinary teamwork, standardized clinical workflows, simulation-based learning, and continuous mentoring, the initiative aims to improve healthcare workers’ preparedness to manage maternal and newborn emergencies and reduce preventable deaths.
To facilitate a seamless transition, TAConnect and ACEPHAP conducted a joint familiarization visit to Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital in Kaduna town and Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Dandaura, Kauru LGA, Kaduna State. These visits enabled the team to engage with the hospital’s leadership, assess service readiness, and identify priorities for ongoing technical support.
At Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, the visit revealed strong institutional readiness, including a functional E-MOTIVE trolley, an effective oxytocin cold chain system, and a well-equipped clinical skills simulation centre that supports continuous learning for healthcare providers. The team also identified opportunities to strengthen the documentation of standalone postpartum haemorrhage cases to improve monitoring and quality improvement efforts.
At Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Dandaura, the visits highlighted areas requiring targeted support, including improvements in oxytocin cold chain management, labour ward hygiene, availability of essential maternal and newborn health commodities, and consistent use of calibrated drapes for accurate blood loss measurement during childbirth. These findings will guide TAConnect’s mentorship, assessments, and quality improvement interventions in the coming months.
For TAConnect, the transition represents more than the transfer of programme responsibilities. It reflects the organization’s commitment to helping governments institutionalize evidence-based interventions, strengthen health systems, and ensure that investments in maternal and newborn health translate into sustainable improvements in the quality of care.
By working closely with the Kaduna State Government, healthcare providers, and implementing partners, TAConnect will continue to build local capacity, strengthen quality improvement systems, and support the delivery of safe, timely, and respectful maternal and newborn care. As the TEAM OB/NEO approach is rolled out across the transitioned facilities, the organization remains committed to ensuring that every woman and every newborn have access to quality care when it matters most.
