Dr. Abel Guobadia, PhD

Dr. Abel Guobadia is the Chairman of the board who participates actively in the center's activities during the years. He is also a PhD holder in Physics and a former lecturer in the University of Lagos, and was member of the Governing Council of the University of Benin.

As former Commissioner in the old Bendel State that later metamorphosized into Edo and Delta States with the transformation of the component Edo and Delta States, he was later appointed Nigeria's Ambassador to South Korea after which he was appointed the Chairman of Nigeria's Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) by May 2000. By 11 ^th of May 1999, he graciously accepted to serve as member of WHARC's Board of Trustees and was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2006. With such a person at the heml of affiars in WHARC, it has made every associate, and staff of the center to continue to serve the center with a high level  of commitment and dedication.

Prof. F.E Okonofua

Professor Friday Okonofua graduated as a medical doctor from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria in 1978. He is a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, a fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate College in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, a Takemi Fellow in International Health of Harvard University, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ad eundem) of the United Kingdom. He obtained a PhD degree in international Health from the prestigious Karolinska University in Stockholm, Sweden (the University that awards Nobel prizes in Medicine) in 2005.

Professor Okonofua’s University, teaching, research and service delivery span 20 years. In 1986, he was Lecturer I in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the OAU, Ile-Ife. He rose to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 1987, associate professor in 1989, and professor in 1992. However, the University of Benin had also assessed him for professor and announced the result before the OAU. Thus, Professor Okonofua is one of a few Professors assessed for professorship by two different Universities. He transferred to the University of Benin in July 1997.

Professor Okonofua has held numerous administrative positions in the University system. At the OAU, he was Acting Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 1987 and 1994 and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences between 1994 and 1995. At UNIBEN, he was Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1997-1998), Dean, Faculty of Medicine, 1998, Dean, School of Medicine, 1998-2002, and Provost of the College of Medical Sciences from 2002 to date. He has also been (1) member, Governing Council; (2) Chairman, Ceremonial Committee; (3) Chairman, Parks and Garden Committee; (4) Member, Tenders Board; (5) member, Pensions Board, and (6) Chairman, Endowment Committee of the University.

As Chairman of the Parks and Garden Committee of the University, he was responsible for planting the ornamental trees and flowers that now adorn the University and for which the University has received several accolades over these past years. As Provost of a rejuvenated College of Medical Sciences, he provided increased visibility to the College both within the university and externally, and carried out several developmental projects in the College. It is on record that he was responsible for raising the sum of N30 Million Naira on a single day of endowment and fund raising during the 30th anniversary celebration of the College in 2003.

In his field of obstetrics and gynecology, Professor Okonofua has provided profound academic leadership. He has been Secretary of the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the National Postgraduate College of Nigeria, and Secretary-General of the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON). In April 2005, he was appointed the Executive Director of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).

He was appointed Executive Director of FIGO after a highly competitive interview in London in which 70 obstetricians and gynecologists around the world participated. Indeed, Professor Okonofua was the only African obstetrician and gynecologist who participated in the interview, and yet he emerged the only successful candidate. As the Executive Director of FIGO, he has been responsible for fund-raising and project design and supervision in the 110 member countries of FIGO. To date, he has raised more funds for FIGO that exceed any funds raised for the organization since its inception in 1954. These funds have included funds for projects approved for Nigeria by FIGO on safe motherhood, vesico-vaginal fistula and prevention of unsafe abortion.

Professor Okonofua founded the Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) in 1995 to promote research and service delivery in women’s health. WHARC is now recognized as one of the leading NGOs in Nigeria. In May 2005, WHARC opened a new office complex that is now widely acclaimed as one of the biggest office building owed by any indigenous NGO in Nigeria. The array of dignitaries that graced the occasion including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, the Edo State Governor and several international guests, testified to the importance and the significance of WHARC within national and international consciousness. WHARC established the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH), recently adjudged by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the best journal among more than 200 scientific journals in Nigeria. Professor Okonofua is the founding editor of both AJRH and the Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research (JMBR, the official journal of the College of Medical Sciences.

Professor Okonofua is a quintessential fundraiser and social mobilizer. As a student at Harvard University, he won the prize for the best student in the proposal writing class in 1991. Indeed, the proposal which he submitted as part fulfillment for that class was later accepted for funding by the Ford Foundation and resulted in his founding of the Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) in 1994. To date, Professor Okonofua has written and received 37 research grants from international funding organizations, including six research grants which he received between 2007 and this day. Additionally, he has raised substantial funds for diverse organizations through proposal writing and development. Organizations such as WHARC, the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), FIGO, Nigerian Partnership for Safe Motherhood (NPSM), Owan Women Empowerment Project (OWEP), which he established in 2001, and the Association of Private Obstetrical Providers (APOP), have benefited immensely from his proposal writing and fund-raising skills.

Professor Okonofua has also raised funds for the University of Benin. As Chairman of the Endowment Committee of the University, he raised more than N70 Million in one day of endowment building and fund raising in March 2007. He has also been responsible for sourcing nearly N20 Million from the Edo State Government for specific projects within the University.

Professor Okonofua is a member of several international organizations too numerous to mention, including New York Academy of Sciences, Council of Scientific Editors, World Association of Medical Editors, International Society for the Study of Populations, European Andropause and Menopause Society, International Advisory Board of the Macarthur Foundation, International Advisory Board of Gynuity, International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, among several others.

He has been a member of the international editorial board of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2000, reviewer to 15 international journals, an external examiner to several Universities both at home and abroad, and a technical consultant to many international agencies including the World Health Organization, USAID, Macarthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, etc.

Professor Okonofua is a recipient of several honors including first alumnus professor of medicine of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Obafemi Awolowo University, international man of the year by the American Biographic Institute, Paul Harries Fellow of Rotary International, Red Alert Award by the Red Cross Society, Special Achievers Award by the Nigerian Television Authority, Distinguished Services Award by the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, and the Platinum Award by the Students Union Government of the University of Benin as “the most outstanding professor of the people”. He has also received commendations from the Governing Council of the University of Benin and successive Vice-Chancellors on account of distinguished and selfless services to the University.

In September 2008, he was honored with the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ad eundem) of the United Kingdom. He was only the only recipient from the developing world out of seven distinguished professors from around the world who were so honored. In his citation, the President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists mentioned “his immense contributions to the promotion of the health and social wellbeing of women”, as reason for the award.

Professor Okonofua functioned as Honorary Adviser on Health to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR between September 2006 and April 29, 2007. In the short period during which he acted as Honorary Adviser, he successfully advocated for a policy of free maternal and child health services with the Federal Government and several States across the country. To date, 20 States have started implementing this policy, which has resulted in increased access to evidence-based health care to a large proportion of under-served women and children in Nigeria. He was also responsible for enunciating a policy of involving midwives in National Youth Service program, as an approach to increase the availability of this cadre of health care personnel for health care delivery in rural locations throughout the country.

Professor Okonofua has more than 170 published articles in local and international scientific journals. He has attended more than 100 local and international conferences, and has traveled to more than 50 different countries. He loves gardening, football and dancing, and is married with children.

He is married to Dr (Mrs.) Belinda Okonofua, and they are blessed with four children.

Other members of the board

Other members of the board include :

• Chief (Mrs) Christiana Fawole, the former chairperson of the Board who is still domiciled in the United Kingdom.
• Lady Winifred Osaru Oynyeonwu FNLA (JP), a patron  to various professional and voluntary organisations,.
• Mrs Marcelina Aisuebeogun who has contributed immensely to the development and implementation of the major activities in WHARC.
• Other trustees includes Professor Obioma Naemeka, Mrs. Amina Sambo.

Prof. Cyril Mokwenye

Prof. Mokwenye is a Professor of French at the University of Benin and a former Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University.
He is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL). He functions as the Deputy Executive Director as well as the Chairman of the Centre’s Committee of Associates. Also, Professor Mokwenyes is the French translator of the African Journal of Reproductive Health. His astute personality makes him highly valuable to the Centre.

Contacts - cymokwenye@yahoo.com

Prof. S.M. Ogbomwan

Prof. Ogbomwan is a Professor of Mathematics and the current Head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Benin. He is a well acclaimed statistician whose contribution to knowledge has earned many awards locally and internationally. He is in charge of data management at the Centre. He is also the chairman committee of Associates for the Professor Ogonor Annual Memorial Lecture.

Contacts - ogbonmwasmaltra@yahoo.co.uk

Prof. S.C. Okoli

Professor Okoli is a Retired Professor of French and Language Education. A former lecturer in the Department of French and Foreign Languages. He is also a visiting professor of French to Ambrose Alli University, University of Uyo and Delta State University respectively. His scholarly contribution has been of immense benefit to the Centre.

DR. Patrick Erah

Dr. Erah is a registered Pharmacist who holds a doctoral degree from the Nottingham University, United Kingdom. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice in the faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City. He is also an ICT specialist and advises the Centre on matters relating to ICT development. He is the Assistant Editor of the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH). He designed and currently maintains WHARC’s website for AJRH.

Contacts - patrick.erah@gmail.com

Barr. (Mrs.) N. Aniekwu

Barr. (Mrs.) Aniekwu is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Benin. She is a specialist in reproductive and human rights Law. She is a visiting fellow at the African Gender Institiute, University of Cape Town and the International Institute for the Sociology of Law at Onati, Spain. She has been admitted as a GEXcel Scholar at the University of Linkoping, Sweden. Barr. Aniekwu recently concluded her PhD theses at the University of Lagos. She functions as the key personnel in charge of Legislation and Policy Development of the Centre.

Contacts - nkolian@yahoo.com

DR. (Mrs) A.N.G. Alutu

Dr. (Mrs.) Azuka Ngozi Grace Alutu is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Benin. In the last eight years at the Centre, she has shown special interest on staff members’ welfare especially with respect to counseling for good work behaviour and increased productivity. She has been an active participant in the planning and execution of the Late Professor Ogonor memorial lecture.

View Dr Alutu's CV

Contacts - alutuaz@yahoo.com

Dr. Lawrence Omo-Aghoja

Dr. Omo-Aghoja recently obtained the two fellowships in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Nigerian National Postgraduate Medical College and from the West African Postgraduate Medical College. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist to the Delta State University, Abraka. He is involved in Infertility and Unsafe Abortion Research at the Centre.

Contacts - eguono_2000@yahoo.com

Dr. (Mrs.) Vivian Omuemu

Dr. (Mrs.) Vivian Omuemu is a lecturer in Community Health Department at the University of Benin and a Consultant Public Health Physician to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. She is an active member of the HIV/AIDS Committee of the Centre.

View Dr Vivian Omuemu's CV here.

Contacts - vomuemu@yahoo.com

Dr. Casmir Omuemu

Dr. Casmir Omuemu is a lecturer in the department of Medicine at the University of Benin and a Consultant Physician to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He is involved in clinical service delivery at the Reproductive Health Clinic at the Centre.

View Dr. Casmir's CV

Contacts - dromuemu@yahoo.com

Dr. Charles Imarengiaye

Dr. Charles Imarengiaye is an Associate Professor of Anaesthsia at the University of Benin and a Consultant Anaesthesiologist to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He provides anaesthetic cover for surgical operations at the Reproductive Health Clinic of WHARC. He is also a member of the Bioethics Committee of the Centre.

Contacts - esemama@yahoo.com

Dr. Peter Omonzejele

Dr. Peter Omonzejele is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Philosophy of the University of Benin. He has M.sc in Bioethics and Health law from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and PhD in Bioethics from the University of Central Lancashire, London. He is the only Nigerian with PhD specialisation in Bioethics. He functions as the Chairman of the Human Research Ethics Committeeof the Centre.

Contacts - pomonzejele@yahoo.com

Dr. Pius Iribhogbe

Dr. Pius Irhibogbe is a Lecturer in the department of Surgery at the University of Benin and a Consultant Surgeon to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He is a clinical consultant to the Reproductive Health Clinic of the centre, providing surgical cover to women who attend the clinic. He studied in Australia between July 2004 and 2005, where he obtained a post-doctoral fellowship in Trauma. He is the only internationally trained surgeon in Trauma Care in Edo/Delta States of Nigeria.

Contacts - akalume2002@yahoo.com

Dr. Uche Menakaya

Dr. Uche Menakaya is a former staff member of WHARC .He was the Senior Programs Officer as well as the Director of the Reproductive Health Clinic. Now a resident of Melbourne, Australia he assists in promoting the Centre’s mission in the international community.

Honorable F. O. Itulah

Honourable F.O. Itulah is a long standing Associate of WHARC. He is a member of the Federal House of Representatives at the National Assemly in Abuja. He is a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. He has continued to champion efforts aimed at promoting women’s reproductive health, rights and social well-being in Nigeria. As the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, he moved the bill for the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation in Edo State.

Mr. Ndubuisi Nwosu

Mr. Ndubuisi is a System Analyst with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and an MBA. He is the Chairman of LENET System Limited, a general merchant organisation. He was recently inducted a Member of the British Computer Society , United Kingdom and a Member of the Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers, U.S.A. He is the coordinator of Geograhical Information Systems and Protocol/Security Manager of the Centre.

Contacts - nnlevi@yahoo.com

Mrs. Josephine Ofeimun

Mrs. Ofeimun is a hospital-based Pharmacist and a very active member of the board of Associates. She is a member of the planning committee of the Professor Ogonor Memorial Lecture. She is currently involved in a research project of the Centre aimed at building the capacity of Pharmacists to market Misoprostol for the prevention and treatment of primary post-partum hemorrhage in rural communities of Edo and Ondo States.

Contacts - jossyofeimun@yahoo.co.uk

Prof. Michael Okobia

Prof. Michael Okobia is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Benin and a Consultant Surgeon to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He is a very active member and an important Associate of the Centre. He is a fellow of Surgery in the National and West African Postgraduate Medical Colleges respectively. Also, Professor Okobia has M.Sc and PhD degrees in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh,U.S.A. He functions in several capacities in the Centre which include; Clinical Consultant, member of board of management of the Reproductive Health Clinic and as Assistant Editor of the African Journal of Reproductive Health.

Contacts - michaelokobia@yahoo.com

Prof. (Mrs.) A. O. Imogie

Professor Imogie is a Professor of Education at the institute of Education, University of Benin, Benin City. She is also the Director of the Gender Studies at the University of Benin as well as the Editor for the Journal for Gender Studies of the University. She is a very active Associate and she has represented the Centre at many conferences and workshops . Professor Imogie recently completed and submitted report on ‘’A Study of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems Amongst Adolescents/Youths in Tertiary Educational Institutions in Edo State

Contacts - abbyimogie@yahoo.com

AJRH

The African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) is a multidisciplinary and international journal that publishes original research, comprehensive review articles, short reports and commentaries of reproductive health in Africa. The Journal strives to provide a forum for African authors as well as others working in Africa, to share findings on all aspects of reproductive health, also to disseminate relevant and useful information on reproductive health throughout the continent.

WHARC has a unit dedicated to the activities, management and co-ordination of  AJRH, headed by Miss Tracy Uwaifo (Unit Head), with Miss Esther Enaike and Miss Chizoba Amechi as members.

Abel Guobadia Clinic

The Able Guobadia Clinic formally called the Lfe Tree Clinic was commissioned on the 22^nd of May, 2008 by Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan the Executive Governor of Delta State.

It has a medical director in the person of Prof. F.E Okonofua, a renowed consultant of obstetrics and gynecology. Other members of staff include :

• Prof. M. Okobia (Consultant General Surgery)
• Dr. Pius Iribhogbe (Consultant)
• Dr. John Apkekpe (Medical Officer)
• Miss Chioma Ekwo and a host of others

The clinic has a fitting laboratory, theatre, recovery room and private wards.

The aim of the clinic include :

1. To improve the reproductive health of the community
2. To reduce the incidence of maternal mortality
3. To provide data for comprehansive research purposes

Services rendered at the Abel Guobadia clinic include

1. Well woman clinic
   • Acetic acid visualization test
   • PAP smear
   • Family planning
   • Ultrasound
2. Ante-natal care and delivery
3. Gynecological consultations
4. Surgical consultations
5. Laboratory services
6. Hormonal assay
7. seminal fluid analysis
8. Blood group
9. Genotyping
10. Retroviral screening
11. Individual indentification test (DNA test)

Boiethics

Bioethics addresses ethical issues in medicine and in the life sciences. Core aspects of bioethics are: clinical ethics, research ethics, the ethics of genetics and  reproductive health ethics. Our research and training interests at WHARC is reproductive health ethics.  Members of the unit are :

• Dr. Peter Omonzejele - Unit Head
• Mr Adedotun Afolabi

HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS Unit was established since the inception of WHARC. The unit was set up as a response to the spread of the HIV infection in the century. Our objective is to carryout evidence informed advocavy and research on the social behaviours related to HIV transmission.

With funding from from the MacArthur, Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, WHARC has implemented successful STDs and HIV/AIDS prevention programs among youths in Edo state, Nigeria. One of these projects has focused exclusively on out-of-school adolescents, using an integrated developmental approach to provide continuing sexuality education and reproductive health services to out-of-school youths. In 2002, WHARC obtained funding from Global Health Council to increase the capacity of community nurses/midwives in Edo State to provide HIV/AIDS counselling and home-based care for PLWHAs. These efforts have increased the effectiveness of the health community responses to HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Edo State. In addition, WHARC enjoys a healthy working relationship with the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA). We provide technical assistance to SACA and we were involved in their launch of Keep Hope Alive Organization - an unbrella organization for PLHAs in Edo State. Indeed, the Secretary of this organization is an associate of WHARC.

WHARC has previously coordinated the Edo State Chapter of the Civial Society for HIV/AIDS (CiSHAN). The unit is managed by a Program Officer - Miss Helen C. Obi, and two Assistant Program Officers - Miss Iyabo McOliver and Mrs Grace Okereke Johnson.

Our services at the HIV/AIDS unit include : Capacity building of NGOs, individuals, and corporate bodies for HIV prevention, as well as evidence informed advocacy.

Library / Communications

The Centre has a library/Documentation Unit, the library contains recent and up-to-date journals in Obstetrics and Gynecology, women’s reproductive health and the broad aspects of health and the social sciences. Examples of journals in the library include :

• British Journal of Gynecology,
• Health Transition Review,
• Social Science and Medicine,
• New England Journal of Medicine,
• lancet the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology etc.

It also includes books on female genital mutilation, violence against women and medical computing; articles broaching issues relating to women’s reproductive health, compact discs CD in various aspects of women’s health; and information relating to public health, ethical issues in reproductive health and the social determinants of health. The library also subscribes to diverse electronic databases including JSTOR, HINARI, BIOLINE, AJOL, etc. which enables readers to gain access to more than 4000 biomedical and social science journals around the world.

The most recent editions of journals and periodicals are keep conspicuously on special display shelves for users awareness’ and easy reference.

Registration for use of the library attracts a service charge of two hundred naira (NGN 200:00) only which enables the users to gain access to the library and to borrow books. Internet access, photocoping & typing are also readily and easily accessible within the complex as well.

The Unit is headed by Mrs. Mercy Agwu.

MacArthur Unit

This unit covers projects funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. It was created based on WHARCs commitment on Global Security and Sustainability.

The personnel in the unit is a project officer who oversees the activities in the unit both internal and external.

The unit implemented a three year project on the Teen care between July 2000-June 2002 with funding support from the Macarthur and Rockefeller Foundation.
The broad objective of the project was to find ways to enhance the social well-being of out-of-school adolescents and improve their health seeking behaviors towards the treatment and prevention of STD/HIV.

Presently the unit is implementing a three year project titled “policies and programs to reduce maternal mortality in six states of Nigeria” with funding support from the Macarthur Foundation.
The general objective of the project is to improve policies and programs regarding maternal health in order to reduce maternal mortality. The project took off in April 2009 and is envisaged to end by February 2012.

Marketing & Business Center

The main objective of the marketing unit is to expand customer base for publications and available services in the centre and has the following personnel :

• Bosede James (Marketing Manager)
• Theresa Ify Ezeoma (Marketing Officer)
• Segun Cole Adebayo (Marketing Officer)
• Jumoke Ogunleye (Marketing Officer)

Responsibilities :

1. Sourcing for subscription online / offline to the African Journal of Reproductive Health and other services in the centre
2. Building of subscription database of the African Journal of Reproductive Health by receiving subscription order forms
3. Marketing of all WHARC publications and services to individuals, Bookshops, Institutions Private sectors, organizational Libraries both online and offline.
4. Responding to all correspondence pertaining to all WHARC publications and services
5. Liaising with contact persons
6. Onsite sale of WHARC publications at conferences, workshops and book fares
7. Sourcing for adverts in all center’s services

 All Subscription request should be addressed to :
Km 11, Lagos-Benin Express Way, Igue-Iheya
P.O. Box 10231, Ugbowo
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Tel: 234 52 600151 Tel/Fax: 234 52 602334
E-mail: info@wharc-online.org, sales@wharc-online.org
 

RH Unit / Data Management

RH/Data Management unit is charged with the responsibilities of reproductive health programming as well as data management of the centre. The unit also functions as monitoring and evaluation unit of the centre.

Currently, there is a project under the management and strong supervision of this unit; a project to strengthening private sector provision of effective evidence-based methods of family planning and post-abortion care in Northern Nigeria with funding support from Packard Foundation. The project is designed to build the capacity of private practitioners in five northern states of Nigeria on Medication Post-Abortion Care and Post-Abortion Family Planning in Northern Nigeria. The project was implemented in Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi and Taraba states in northern Nigeria.

The project was designed to be implemented over two years from April 2008 to March 2010. The project which began in 2008 has been implemented in phases and the needs assessment had been conducted which guided the design of intervention activities, the service delivery phase of the project which includes the use of medications for the treatment of abortion complications has commenced in February 2009 and is currently ongoing in five project states.

Moreover, this unit also functions as a data management, monitoring and evaluation unit of the centre saddled with the responsibilities of providing programmatic leadership for the centre’s research project. The activities of this unit also include the following; Plans and implements statistical programmes of the centre under the supervision of a core associate, the ED or DD, Data Collection, Data entry, analysis and management of electronic data bases, Implementation and monitoring of daily processing, disaster recovery plans, backup and restoration of contingency procedures, Designs and implements a work plan for the Centre’s Research projects on Post Abortion Care, Unsafe Abortion and other relatives Projects (Path Finder project, Misoprostol study) in line with provisions in the proposal.

This unit has the staff strength of two personnel in person of Mr. Hammed Afolabi and Nwandu Chineye. The two personnel have core competencies in statistical Analysis, monitoring and evaluation, research project development and management, capacity building, project management, report and scientific writing and proposal writing. Innovative, highly motivated, and very dedicated.

Safe Motherhood

WHARC embarks on series of programmatic efforts on safe motherhood for improvement of maternal survival with resultant effect of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. WHARC is implementing a project with funding support from the venture Strategic for Health and Development (VHSD) California, USA in three LGAs and four LGAs of Ondo state respectively for prevention and treatment of Post Partum Hemorrhage in women in rural areas of Edo and Ondo state through training and capacity building of local health care providers to properly dispense Misoprostol for the treatment and prevention of Post-partum Hemorrhage and to ensure its availability in line with guidelines provided by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and World Health Organization (WHO). The project is being implemented in Esan west, Esan central, and Igueben local government area of Edo State, and in Akure South, Owo, Ifedore and Akoko North-West Local Government areas of Ondo state respectively. Currently, the project is ongoing in the two states that are involved.

Also, as part of its efforts to promote safe motherhood in rural communities in Edo State, WHARC has been working with the School of Public Health at the University of California to determine the effectiveness of misoprostol administered by traditional birth attendants in reducing the incidence and mortality from primary post-partum hemorrhage. The project consists of an intervention site, where TBAs are taught to receive 800 microgram of misoprostol for the prevention and treatment of PPH, and a control site where TBAs manage PPH according to their usual traditional methods.

WHARC is also implementing a project titled policies and program in reducing maternal mortality in six states of Nigeria with funding support from the Macarthur foundation to strengthen advocacy activities aimed at promoting policies for maternal health and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in the six states of Nigeria (Kano, Enugu, Borno, Lagos, Cross River and Plateau), by identifying the existing policies and programs relating to maternal health in the states, moreover to determine the impact of the policies on maternal health services delivery coverage and quality including cost, personnel, maternal health facilities and equipment in the states, determining the needs and perception of pregnant women and making necessary recommendations on the policies and programs aimed at reducing maternal mortality.

The project is designed to be implemented for a period of three years March 2009-Feb 2012 in three phases (research and data collection, report writing and advocacy visits) to improve the policies for maternal health with the general objective of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

WHARC identifies strategies for implementing the project and it includes; formation of project teams in each of the states, held project debriefing workshop, conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders in each of the states, conducted focus group discussions and the project is still on, and at the moment, WHARC is implementing the report writing phase of the project.