An investment in the next decennium of safe motherhood

Thanks to two amazingly generous supporters; we have now replaced the ultrasound scanner in our maternity unit in Burkina Faso.

This is an investment in the continued safety of thousands of mothers and babies who depend on this service every year, so we wanted to share this good news with you.

It is hard to believe that it has been almost ten years since our maternity unit first opened, following the successful fundraising campaign that made its construction possible in 2017.

What began as a vision to provide safe, accessible maternity care has grown into one of the most trusted healthcare services in the region.

One of the doctors tests the new equipment on a nurse, Burkina Faso 2026

Highlights

Over the past decade, the unit has celebrated the safe delivery of more than 8,500 babies and has provided prenatal and postnatal care to over 63,000 women.

Behind these remarkable numbers is an equally remarkable team. The same dedicated group of midwives has served the community throughout these ten years, building trusted relationships with families and delivering compassionate, skilled care every day.

The quality of care provided has transformed maternal health within the community.

Despite operating in a country where maternal mortality remains among the highest in the world, the maternity unit has recorded only one maternal fatality in ten years.

This extraordinary achievement reflects not only the commitment and expertise of the clinical team but also the availability of the right facilities and equipment to support timely diagnosis and intervention.

The ultrasound scanner has been central to that success. It enables midwives to monitor fetal growth, confirm gestational age, detect multiple pregnancies, identify complications early, and make informed decisions about referrals or urgent treatment.

When the original scanner failed after years of continuous service, it left a significant gap in our ability to provide the highest standard of care.

Mindray DC-30 Ultrasound Scanner, Ophel Clinic

The new scanner has ensured that this essential diagnostic service can continue without interruption.

The new scanner will help clinicians identify high-risk pregnancies earlier, make faster and more accurate clinical decisions, and ultimately save the lives of mothers and babies for many years to come.

Staff at the Ophel maternity unit showed their excitement as they tested the ultrasound scanner on a pregnant colleague

As we approach the maternity unit’s tenth anniversary, this replacement represents a commitment to the next decade of safe motherhood.

A future in which thousands more women will experience pregnancy and childbirth with greater confidence and dignity.

Patients attend free screening for Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Ophel Medical Centre, Burkina Faso 2025

10 YEARS OF IMPACT

Safe mothers, healthy babies and stronger communities. Since the opening of our maternity unit in 2017, your support has helped transform maternal health in our community:

• 9,993 babies delivered (2017-2026)
• 97,642 women received prenatal & postnatal care (2017-2026)
• 1 dedicated midwife team: 10 years of compassionate care

Mrs Sanou, Head Midwife of the Ophel Maternity Unit, Burkina Faso

“The new ultrasound scanner is a game changer. It helps us detect complications early and make the best decisions for mothers and babies. It will save many more lives.”

– Madame Sanou, Head Midwife

Thank you to the many of you that support our health projects. On behalf of our midwives, the mothers and families they serve, thank you.

Online Event: Pink October in Burkina Faso

Join us on Thursday 8 October at 7pm.

Our team in Bobo-Dioulasso continue to make strides in improving the medical access for their community. They will be sharing about their 3rd annual ‘Pink October’ campaign to raise awareness and screen for breast and cervical cancer in their community.

Sign up here, and we will send you the meeting details before the event.

Written by Zoë Atherton, Communications Officer at International Needs UK

Follow us on Instagram to hear project updates and success stories at @ineedsuk