1. Reducing Maternal Mortality in Northern Nigeria WE CARE: Women’s Emergency Communication and Reliable Electricity Laura Stachel, School of Public Health

2. Why Nigeria? 11% of the world’s maternal deaths >1100 deaths per 100,000 live births Lifetime risk of dying as high as 1 in 13

3. The Three Delays HomeTransportHospital

4. Labor and Delivery

5. Operating Theatre

6. Life Threatening Delays

7. Inadequate Lighting

8. WE CARE Women’s Emergency Communication and Reliable Electricity Solar Electricity to… ….provide reliable lighting ….enable mobile communication ….power equipment

9. Operating Room Design

10. “Solar Suitcase” Immediately Operational Portable Economical Safe

11. Demonstration to Hospital Staff

12. Impact of LED light Medical Documentation Before

13. Medical Documentation With LED Headlamps

14. Impact of LED light Nursing Care Before After

15. Impact of LED lights Surgical Care Before After

16. Testing Two-way Radios

17. Improved Care Improved Communication –Immediate Contact –Reduced Delays –Patient Status Updates –Less Referrals Out Improved Lighting –Increased Visibility –Increased Ease of Procedures –Increased Safety

18. Future Directions…. Install permanent PV system in hospital Install blood bank refrigerator Purchase two-way radios and LED headlamps Develop “solar suitcase” model Scale up to other facilities

19. Special Thanks to Our Funders… -Big Ideas @ Berkeley -Blum Center for Developing Economies -Bixby Program in Population, Family Planning & Maternal Health