Maternity Worldwide is the implementation partner (in collaboration with King’s College London) of the CRADLE research project in our project countries Malawi and Ethiopia. CRADLE is investigating the feasibility of using a simple, portable “traffic light” blood pressure monitor in rural antenatal clinics and amongst community health workers in low income countries to monitor Pre-Eclampsia cases and other maternal health issues. During this process, we have learnt that many young women and girls are dying due to obstetric complications as a result of early marriages. This indicates that there is a gap in access to and provision of information and services.
Below you can find a report written for us by Yonas Guchale, Midwife/Research Assistant, Ethiopia which summaries the Annual Meeting which took place in March, 2017.
“I attended the CRADLE III second Annual Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa in March. There were 38 participants representing nine countries, including researchers from King’s College London. The meeting brought together countries that implemented CRADLE III and those that are getting ready to implement the device.
As we are waiting to implement the device it was very useful to hear the experience from other country representatives that have already begun to use the device. During the meeting I learnt;
- The correct way to use and handle the CRADLE device
- For the project to be successful midwives, doctors (ANC, labor, delivery & postnatal) and health extension workers all need to be taught how to use the device and how I can best help to teach them
- The common challenges and advantages to the CRADLE device i.e. the accuracy of the device
There were many speakers and useful presentations during the Annual Meeting. Leaving the meeting I will particularly be taking with me the phrase from an informational presentation on Eclampsia, “good care makes a difference”. I understood that this is successfully applied in UK and it has practically helped to reduce Eclampsia and related maternal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, if the CRADLE device is integrated with ANC, labor delivery and postnatal health work, it is possible to early identify Pre-Eclampsia. If we properly manage this we can reduce Eclampsia related complications such as strokes and seizures.
The device will be very important especially for developing and low-income counties as they have limited technology, minimum number of skilled health professionals & high PPH related material mortality & morbidity. It is an affordable, accessible and reusable device.
As a midwife practitioner in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the CRADLE III study has opened my eyes to observe what is happening in the hospital and health centres in a systematic way. It has ignited a desire in my heart to help save the women who are dying due to easily preventable health issues related to pregnancy. CRADLE III has given me a tool to fight for the life of the women I am serving. It has been my privilege to assist this research. The meeting also exposed me to see the experience of other countries with similar challenges and practical, implementable solutions. On behalf of the Ethiopia CRADLE team, I would like to say you are welcome in Ethiopia and we look forward to implementing the device and working with the wider CRADLE team again.”
