We are deeply saddened to receive news of the death of Winnie Naisianoi Shena-Mureithi, CEO of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS).

Winnie was a wonderful and passionate leader, dedicated to serving women and supporting life through her work as a midwife and with KOGS. She successfully led teams in Kenya in their implementation of FIGO’s Advocating Safe Abortion Project (ASAP) and as Deputy Country Coordinator for the Post-partum Intrauterine Device (PPIUD) initiative. 

A new collaborative effort to improve PPH control is being initiated by FIGO.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the single leading cause of maternal mortality in most countries, and its severe effects are often compounded by maternal anemia. The huge global health impact on maternal health by PPH will very likely be changed in coming years, through joint new efforts.

The POPPHI Project is part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) broader Special Initiative to reduce postpartum haemorrhage, the single most important cause of maternal deaths worldwide, through expanded use of Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour (AMTSL). AMTSL is an intervention that reduces the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage by up to 60 percent.

Currently, WHO recommends oxytocin as the first method of preventing excessive bleeding after childbirth. However, the drug must be stored and transported at two to eight degrees Celsius.