By: HARUNA KUYATEH
Medical Research Council (MRC) London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has launched Health Trajectories for Mums and their Children, a PRECISE network study of 6,000 pregnant women and their infants DYADS, held at Illiasa Minor Health Centre.
It seeks to provide a greater epidemiology and mechanistic understanding of health and disease pathways in the sub–Saharan African context in the Gambia and Kenya, following uncomplicated pregnancies and those complicated by pregnancy hypertension, fetal growth restriction, still births, and / or preterm birth.
Speaking at the launch, Fatoumata Kongira Nurse Coordinator of PRECISE DYAD PROJECT said the first phase of PRECISE has imparted positively on the lives of pregnant women and their children.
She noted that following the launched of PRECISE project 2 years ago target 10,000 pregnant women in sub-Saharan and whilst the target for Gambia is 2000 pregnant woman and their children. So far Preicse study have seen over 1,200 Pregnant in Illiasa, Farafenni and Ngain Sanjal health facilities.
She said the follow up PRECISE DYAD target 1000 pregnant women and their children, and called for more support and collaboration with the study teams to help address pregnancy complications, which can be attributed to maternal mortality or anemia.
Abdlie Cham of MRCG Communication Unit described open day as important, noting that it brings services closer to the people and promote community participation in the study programs.
Abdoulie Sillah RSO PRECISE DYAD, said the that the two years ago witnessed the birth of PRECISE project at Illiasa and the launching of PRECISE DYAD is a follow up to the project. PRECISE DYAD aims to achieve an overarching understanding of the factors that contribute to optimal maternal and child health within these contexts.
“The ultimate, the goal is to design interventions to optimize health of mothers and their children. DYAD study target mothers and children for a period of 2 years,” he said.
The team will collect clinical information and samples to investigate what happen in the urine and blood to determine the factors responsible on pregnancy complications.
He said study project and providing quality health care to the people has enabled many families to support MRCG in their quest to overcome health problems. Rohey Chogan representative of OIC at Illiasa Minor Health Centre lauded the partnership with MRCG, educate patients and transportation of women and their children, as boost regular clinic visits.
He noted that series of studies and research has help inform on factors leading to maternal health complications. He lauded MRCG for the rehabilitation health facilities in Illiasa, Farafenni and Ngain Sanjal.
He called on communities to provide maximum support to the study teams. He said at the end of study, it will help come up with comprehensive interventions packages to find lasting solutions to pregnancy complications and enhance the health of mothers and their children.
Bakary Jammeh representative of Chief of Illiasa noted of the local authorities’ fullest support to the study, adding that PRECISE project two ago contribute to improve the health of women and children.
He said follow up on PRECISE DYAD is highly commendable to pregnant women and their children are well protected. Chief Representative noted samples collection help health experts to investigate and develop vaccines to improve health of families