Physical Health Tanzania, United Republic of Project #8594

Make Motherhood Safe for Tanzanian Women

by Kupona Foundation

Make Motherhood Safe for Tanzanian Women

Project Report | Aug 13, 2020
CCBRT supports successful early breastfeeding

By Susana Oguntoye | Executive Director, Kupona Foundation

Dear Friend,

Kupona celebrated World Breastfeeding Week by raising awareness around the neonatal care work our colleagues at our sister organization in Tanzania, CCBRT, are doing.CCBRT discovered the start of breastfeeding for sick and preterm newborns admitted to the neonatal care units of Dar es Salaam is often very delayed, and responded with a project (funded by Laerdal Foundation) on early and exclusive breastfeeding, emphasizing how vital this is for low birthweight or premature newborns.

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, Dr. Antke Zuechner, CCBRT Neonatal Technical Advisor, and her colleagues trained over ten nurses and midwives through proper breastfeeding techniques over a week, so that they are prepared when premature or sick newborns are too weak to breastfeed. The nurses and midwives learned how to help mothers pump their breast milk so their newborn babies can drink by cup or tube feeding. Learn more about the breastfeeding training here.

After talking to our colleagues at CCBRT about the importance of immediate breastfeeding, we heard Neema’s story:

Neema delivered her baby girl at home just a few weeks ago. She came to the hospital shortly after because her baby couldn’t latch on for breastfeeding. When Neema arrived at the hospital, her baby was shivering, and something wasn’t right. The doctors at Temeke Hospital, one of CCBRT’s Maternal Health Capacity Building (MHCB) partners, took emergency action to keep Neema’s baby warm, give her O2 therapy, and insert an IV line to keep her hydrated. The baby was diagnosed with neonatal sepsis, and the doctors at Temeke treated her immediately. She was in the hospital with varying symptoms, from a high temperature to a swollen abdomen, for over 5 days. The most consistent treatment? Neema’s breastmilk.

The doctors at Temeke had been trained by CCBRT’s Maternal Health Capacity Building team on proper breastfeeding techniques in these exact situations. By the 5th day Neema’s baby had stabilized, and could breastfeed without any problem. Neema was very grateful that her baby was alive, and that her breastmilk helped her get better.

Doctor Victoria at Temeke said, “before attending CCBRT’s breastfeeding training, we wouldn’t have known how to administer Neema’s breastmilk to her baby. CCBRT’s training has helped many children in Tanzania get their mother’s milk immediately, and get healthier regardless of their condition.”

Thanks to the incredible doctors at Temeke, and CCBRT’s MHCB team, Neema’s child survived. It is this important work that keeps mothers and newborns safe.

Susana Oguntoye,
Executive Director, Kupona Foundation

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Jun 19, 2020
Our Work Continues

By Susana Oguntoye | Executive Director, Kupona Foundation

Dear Friend,

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to significantly impact CCBRT and Tanzanians since we updated you a month ago. As Tanzania’s fight against COVID-19 is just beginning, CCBRT has been providing essential services that would otherwise fall by the wayside, particularly for pregnant women, newborn, and patients needing essential specialized care. Even in a pandemic women are still having babies and children born with clubfoot and cleft palate still require surgery and rehabilitative support, we are just working a little differently.

A look at CCBRT’s work during COVID:

The women recovering from obstetric fistula at The Mabinti Center have transitioned from hand sewing bags, pillows, and other household items, to making masks to keep Tanzanians and CCBRT staff safe. While in-person training is limited to the bare minimum for COVID-19 response and infection control, the staff continues to work hard to continue their income generating activities. The Kupona Team got a shipment of Mabinti masks, so please reach out to us if you are interested in purchasing any.
CCBRT conducted a 3-day training on the rights of people with disabilities, including basic wheelchair repair and maintenance. The training will enable health care workers to support wheelchair users in home settings. Additionally, in celebration of Father’s Day, CCBRT conducted a training for fathers’ of children with disabilities. The goal is to equip fathers with the necessary skills for caring for a child with disabilities.
On May 23rd, CCBRT virtually celebrated International Day to End Obstetric Fistula through awareness raising advertisements on local radio stations, and through international media platforms. Learn more about CCBRT’s fistula services during COVID from the head of the Department, Dr. Peter.

Your support makes it possible for us to continue to keep our colleagues at CCBRT safe while they provide essential services during the pandemic. The Kupona and CCBRT Teams are thinking of you and your loved ones during this difficult time. Stay tuned for additional updates on how CCBRT is innovatively fighting COVID-19 in Tanzania.

With gratitude,

Susana Oguntoye
Executive Director

P.S. If you are shopping on Amazon for a Father’s Day gift, don’t forget to select Kupona as your charity through Amazon Smile.

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Mar 2, 2020
For the empowerment of women like Theresa

By Abbey Kocan | Executive Director, Kupona Foundation

Nurse Theresa

Today, I want to introduce you to Nurse Theresa, a woman who embodies the strength and resilience that we see in so many of the women and girls that we serve.

Nurse Theresa has been a nurse for over 20 years, and is the head of the Neonatal Clinic at Mwananyamala Hospital, one of the 23 facilities supported by our partner CCBRT’s Maternal Health Capacity Building Program (MHCB). In 2018, Nurse Theresa attended a week-long breastfeeding training organized and led by CCBRT. In the training, she learned about the importance of breastfeeding, how to help babies breastfeed early, and potential challenges with breastfeeding.

Nurse Theresa shared that the training was very beneficial, and that she learned a lot in only five days. She returned to work to lead on-the-job training on breastfeeding for other nurses in the ward. Nurses at Mwananyamala Hospital had identified that supporting early breastfeeding and communicating about the importance of breastfeeding had been challenges in the Neonatal Clinic. Following the CCBRT-led training, Nurse Theresa and her fellow nurses were better equipped and more confident, providing continuous breastfeeding support for new mothers and helping set the stage for a healthy start for both mom and baby.

Nurse Theresa regularly contacts CCBRT’s MHCB staff when she has questions, and they often check in with her. She is thankful that she could attend the training, and that she was able to share what she learned as a Trainer for her colleagues. She looks forward to attending future CCBRT training on other topics such as low birth weight babies, and kangaroo mother care.

Your support makes it possible for us to empower women like Nurse Theresa with the knowledge and tools they need to continue to raise the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare. From March 6th-13th, we will be celebrating the strength and resilience of the girls and women we serve in Tanzania as part of GlobalGiving’s Girl Fund Campaign. We need your help. Stay tuned for more details on the Girl Fund Campaign later this week!

With gratitude,
Abbey Kocan
Executive Director

Links:

Meet Theresa

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