Nairobi, The Aga Khan University’s Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa (CoEWCH EA) has donated health equipment worth KES 2 million (approximately USD 13,000) to Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Kenya. This contribution aims to bolster the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive maternity and newborn care.
According to The Aga Khan University, the donation follows the completion of the COVID-19 in pregnancy study, funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and led by CoEWCH EA in collaboration with Pumwani Maternity Hospital and the Aga Khan University Hospital. The study investigated the impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) infection during pregnancy on various pregnancy-related outcomes by gathering data from women infected with the virus.
Hon Geofrey Mosiria, Nairobi County Chief Officer for Health Facilities Management, expressed the government’s appreciation for the research’s contribution to quality care and data-driven decision-making. He noted that the equipment donation aligns with Kenya’s goal of achieving Universal Health Care by 2030, focusing on maternal and child health.
Prof Marleen Temmerman, Director of CoEWCH EA and Principal Investigator of the study, highlighted that the research would guide the development of recommendations for managing and counselling women and their babies during pandemics. The study’s findings are expected to inform public health measures for infectious diseases and future research protocols.
The equipment donated includes an ultrasound machine, a fridge, and a printer. The ultrasound machine will play a critical role in antenatal care, enabling the assessment of fetal development and gestational age, among other factors. This supports CoEWCH EA’s commitment to implementing WHO’s antenatal care guideline, which recommends at least one ultrasound exam during pregnancy, preferably before 24 weeks. This commitment was also emphasized during the regional launch of the Lancet Series on Small Vulnerable Newborns (SVN) held in Nairobi on September 19, 2023.
Christine Kiteshuo, CEO of Pumwani Maternity Hospital, expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Aga Khan University, emphasizing the hospital’s focus on quality care through research and training in maternal and child health. The new equipment is expected to significantly enhance care at the hospital, particularly for vulnerable pregnant women at high risk of severe COVID-19 complications.
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University of Turbat Faculty and Student Awarded Prestigious Law Scholarships
Turbat, The University of Turbat (UoT) has achieved a notable milestone as Mr. Nadeem Ahmed, Chairperson of the Law Department, and Mr. Ali Azeem, a recent LLB graduate, have been awarded prestigious scholarships in the field of law. These scholarships are part of the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) Balochistan Law Graduates Scholarship program, aimed at developing human resources in law for educational institutions and the judiciary in Balochistan.
According to the University of Turbat, Mr. Ahmed secured a PhD foreign scholarship, while Mr. Azeem, who achieved the first position in the LLB program, obtained an LLM scholarship in the foreign category. The HEC’s initiative provides both foreign and indigenous scholarships to law graduates from Balochistan as part of the “Law Graduates Scholarship Program for Balochistan for Study Abroad.” This program, approved by the Government of Pakistan in September 2018, aims to award a total of 100 scholarships in batches over five years.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mansoor Ahmed, Dean of Faculty of Law Prof. Dr. Gul Hasan, faculty members, and administrative officers congratulated both Mr. Azeem and Mr. Ahmed on their achievements, highlighting the honor they bring to the entire university community.