As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month under the @WHO’s theme Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters, I am honoured to spotlight the newly released Devex feature, “New Index Aims to Help Countries Close Breast Cancer Care Gaps,” following my conversation with Senior Editor Rumbi Chakamba during the 80th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
The feature introduces the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index, a data-driven framework that enables governments to turn commitment into measurable reform. Convened by @AstraZeneca with clinicians, policymakers, and advocates, the Index provides a unified set of indicators spanning early detection, timely diagnosis, comprehensive management, and resilient system performance. It offers a shared language for accountability, aligning policy, financing, and delivery to expose inequities and guide investment.
True equity in women’s cancer care requires coherence between evidence, leadership, and implementation. The #BCCQI represents that alignment, where political will meets operational capacity, and progress is demonstrated through measurable standards of care.
Through the @WellbeingAfrica Foundation, we are advancing this approach in Nigeria by embedding breast health education, patient navigation, and system strengthening into maternal and community health programmes, aligned with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative and the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index. Our mission remains clear, that every woman’s journey leads to timely care, effective treatment, and survival.
@PolicyWisdom
#UNGA80
#CancerCareEquity
#EveryStoryIsUnique
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
#WellbeingForAll
On World Cerebral Palsy Day yesterday, I stand with a global movement for and by the 50 million people living with cerebral palsy, their families and supporters, celebrating what makes each person unique while uniting for inclusion, access and dignity.
Yesterday, my @WellbeingAfrica Foundation joined the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development and the Ifeoluwa CP Initiative for an awareness walk and technical engagement on this year’s theme, Unique and United, where our Chief Programmes Manager presented WBFA’s capacity-building approach to reducing cerebral palsy linked to severe neonatal jaundice through better screening, timely treatment and family education. The voices heard throughout were powerful, from a mother’s testimony of preventable harm to a clinician’s lived experience, and they strengthened the call for WBFA to extend our Project Oscar — Light for Life, a Neonatal Jaundice Screening, Treatment, and Kernicterus Prevention Programme, to Kwara State.
Preventable perinatal risks still drive too many cases of cerebral palsy in low- and middle-income settings, including Nigeria, where severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus remain significant yet avoidable contributors. Early detection and effective phototherapy save lives and protect neurodevelopment, and WBFA will continue on our mission to equip facilities with bilirubinometers and phototherapy units, train frontline health workers, and empower mothers to recognise danger signs, through the support of our social impact partners @ThisIsReckitt.
At the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that no child’s potential is diminished by conditions that knowledge and compassion can prevent. We are unique in our stories, and united in our resolve.
#WorldCPDay
#UniqueAndUnited
#ProjectOscar
#LightForLife
#WellbeingForAll
Celebrating World Teachers’ Day 2025: Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession
Today, on @UNESCO#WorldTeachersDay, I honour the extraordinary educators who inspire, guide, and shape generations. Under this year’s theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” I celebrate the vital role teachers play as transmitters of knowledge and co-creators of healthier, more resilient communities.
At my @WellbeingAfrica Foundation, we believe that collaboration between educators and health professionals is essential to improving children’s wellbeing. This vision comes alive through the #WBFA-@DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest Programme, supported by our social impact partners @ThisIsReckitt, which integrates #PSHE and #WASH education into school curricula across Kwara State, Lagos State, and the FCT Abuja.
In 2024 alone, the #DHQ Programme reached an impressive 238,235 beneficiaries, including 170,439 students, 42,998 pregnant and lactating mothers, and 24,800 community members, a testament to the power of collaboration between teachers, health educators, and communities.
By empowering teachers as hygiene champions, WBFA equips classrooms with the tools to prevent infections, promote sanitation, and cultivate lifelong habits of health and dignity. Our teachers become frontline advocates, instilling essential WASH knowledge that protects families, strengthens school systems, and drives community behavioural change.
Through practical, play-based learning, children not only grasp the science of hygiene but also carry these lessons home, extending the impact of teaching beyond school walls. This model of teacher-led health promotion exemplifies what it means to recast teaching as a truly collaborative profession, where educators, parents, and community health workers work hand in hand for sustainable development.
As we celebrate today, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and uplifting teachers, the heart of change and the foundation of a healthier, more equitable future for all.
#WorldTeachersDay
#RecastingTeaching
#EducationForAll
#WellbeingForAll
We hosted the team from @wellbeingafrica led by its founder and president, Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Saraki in #Abuja. We shared meaningful discussions on advancing healthcare for women & children, enhancing #SRHR and the promotion of gender equality and equity in #Nigeria. 🤝
One of the leading causes of complications during pregnancy is Hypertension yet with the right care, it is preventable.
During our Mamacare360 antenatal sessions, our midwives educate expectant mothers on the signs, symptoms, and preventive measures against hypertension in pregnancy, a condition that can affect both mother and baby if left unmanaged.
They emphasize the importance of early antenatal care, healthy nutrition, regular exercise, stress management, and recognizing warning signs such as headaches, swelling, and vision changes.
By promoting informed care and early detection, our Mamacare360 classes continue to empower mothers to protect their health and ensure safer pregnancy outcomes.
#MaternalMonday #Mamacare360 #MaternalHealth
Access to adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) education is a cornerstone of public health and human dignity, especially for vulnerable groups such as children under the age of five. Recognized globally, WASH is central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 6.1 and 6.2, which aim to ensure universal access to safe, affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all. These goals highlight the need to create environments that support safe and healthy living especially within school settings, where children spend a significant portion of their formative years.
At the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, through the @DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest program, we are advancing and fostering a culture of hygiene among school children. Our dedicated Nurse Educators regularly engage young adolescents through practical demonstrations on and interactive role plays that bring hygiene lessons to life. These sessions are instructional and transformative, embedding essential hygiene habits into the daily lives of students.
By instilling these values early, we are not only reducing absenteeism caused by preventable illnesses but also empowering students to become hygiene champions within their families and communities.
#Teenagetuesday #Hygienequest #WASH
Our hands are one of the major gateways to our bodies constantly in motion, constantly in use. Whether it’s preparing meals, caring for our children, engaging in work, or interacting with others, we rely on our hands every day.
In communities where physical, hands-on activities are part of daily life, the risk of coming in contact with harmful germs increases significantly. Without proper hand hygiene, these germs can easily find their way into our bodies, potentially leading to illness and the spread of infections.
Through the @DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest program, we are teaching the critical importance of hand hygiene in protecting health and preventing disease. Our #WBFA Nurse Educators continue to engage with community members, creating awareness on how our hands when not properly cleaned can become carriers of infection. She teach participants how regular handwashing with soap, especially at key moments, can safeguard their health and that of their families.
Through these sessions we are empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to practice good hygiene daily which serves as a reminder that something as simple as handwashing is a powerful tool in building healthier communities.
#Washwednesday #Hygienequest
This week, our Executive Director, Dr. Adebukola Shittu-Muideen, embarked on a five-day working visit to our Lagos State office, where she engaged directly with staff members and visited key healthcare facilities implementing our programs. Her visit provided a valuable opportunity to assess ongoing work and celebrate the dedication of our frontline workers, who are at the heart of delivering quality healthcare services.
She was warmly welcomed by the staff and directorate team, taking time to familiarize herself with each team member and acknowledge their individual and collective contributions to the Foundation’s mission. In her address, she commended the team's unwavering commitment to driving progress towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, while reiterating the Foundation’s continued support for their efforts.
Dr. Adebukola, along with the Lagos team, visited the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, where she paid a courtesy visit to the Apex Nurse as part of her efforts to familiarize herself with the facility and hospital leadership, this was followed by interaction with the hospital Nurses and a tour around the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). There, she interacted with our frontline Midwives, mothers and beneficiaries of our Mamacare360 and Mamacare NICU PLUS programs, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the continuous support and transformative health education sessions provided by our WBFA midwives. The mothers how the lessons learned have positively impacted their health routines and their babies’ well-being.
This working visit reaffirms our unwavering commitment to strengthening health systems, empowering frontline workers, and ensuring every mother and child receives the care they deserve.
#Thrivethursday #Wellbeingforall
As part of our unwavering commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) extended critical support to Mrs. Fatimoh Akewushola, a 34-year-old mother of Six from Agbaji, Ilorin.
After delivering premature twins at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Mrs. Akewushola, who also lives with hepatitis and supports four older children, found herself under immense financial and emotional strain. She was Unable to lactate to cater for her baby’s nutritional needs, and couldn’t afford essential medications and infant formula with each tin costing up to ₦20,000, She reached out to our frontline Data Assistant in one of our MamaCare360 NICUPlus class which she attends at KWASUTH.
Following an assessment, WBFA stepped in with a financial relief package of ₦500,000, covering her hospital bills, baby supplies, and nutritional needs. Our MamaCare360 midwives also provided her with health education on newborn care, breastfeeding, lactation stimulation, and family planning support.
During the donation Led by our National Programs Manager Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, Mrs. Akewushola Expressed her gratitude to the foundation sharing:
“It has not been easy, but the WBFA’s support has lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders. I am forever thankful to Her Excellency @ToyinSaraki for her kindness. May Allah bless her and the WBFA team for bringing hope and joy to my family.”
WBFA, remains committed to ensuring that no woman or child is left behind, and that every family, regardless of socioeconomic status, has access to the compassionate care and support they need to thrive.
#Frontlinefriday #MamaCare360 #MaternalHealth
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa celebrates the birthday of an extraordinary leader and visionary in healthcare — Professor Akin Emmanuel Abayomi @ProfAkinAbayomi, The Lagos State Commissioner for Health.
Since taking office in 2019, Professor Abayomi has driven transformative changes across Lagos health sector from steering the state’s decisive COVID-19 response to overhauling primary health care systems, championing a digitized healthcare model, and enhancing workforce conditions in health care facilities.
Under his leadership we have partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Health @LSMOH in launching Project Oscar – Light for Life, an initiative dedicated to neonatal jaundice screening, treatment, and kernicterus prevention. Lagos state has adopted this life-saving program equipping facilities with phototherapy units, bilirubinometers, training of healthcare professionals, and raising awareness among mothers.
His unwavering commitment to Maternal and newborn health embodies our shared vision: a Lagos and a Nigeria where every mother and child has a healthy start in life and thrive.
Today we celebrate your inspirational leadership and dedication.
From us all at the Wellbeing Foundation Africa we are wishing you a Happy Birthday.
The health and wellbeing of expectant mothers and their babies begin with the right knowledge, attentive care, and consistent support. At our Mamacare360 antenatal class at Sobi Barrack Medical Centre in Kwara State, our #Mamacare Midwife in an impactful session focused on preparing mothers for lactation, embracing exclusive breastfeeding, and understanding the vital role of regular handwashing in safeguarding health.
Mothers were guided through the essentials of nurturing their newborns right from the very first hour after birth, emphasizing how early and exclusive breastfeeding builds immunity, strengthens the mother-child bond, and lays the foundation for lifelong wellness. The session also underscored the importance of hand hygiene not just for mothers, but for every caregiver involved in a baby’s early life as a frontline defense against preventable infections. The mothers were taught the correct handwashing steps in the @DettolNigeria hygiene quest session, while also reinforcing their understanding of hygiene through practical demonstrations and improved knowledge.
By equipping expectant mothers with practical knowledge and compassionate support, we continue to advance our mission to improve maternal and child health outcomes across communities.
#Maternalmonday #Hygienequest
Handwashing goes beyond simply applying soap and scrubbing, it’s about using the right technique to make the process truly effective. Through the WBFA – @DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest program, students are not only taught how to wash their hands but also why each step matters.
Our dedicated WBFA Nurse Educators provide in-depth, engaging explanations that help students connect the technique with its purpose, making each hygiene lesson more impactful. By understanding the reason behind every movement, students are empowered to practice proper hand hygiene confidently and consistently both in school and beyond.
#Teenagetuesday #Hygienequest #Wash
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa Lagos team attended the official book launch of Dr. Eniayewun Ademuyiwa Benjamin, the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, titled “Transforming: My Journey Through the Lagos State Health System.
Her Excellency @toyinsaraki, who was invited to deliver a speech, was represented by Mrs. Mojisola Alere, Director of Programs, Partnerships, Grants, Knowledge, and Research Development at WBFA. In her remarks, she celebrated Dr. Eniayewun’s visionary leadership, applauding his enduring legacy in strengthening primary healthcare, championing community-driven innovations, and steering a resilient, strategic response to public health challenges across Lagos State.
She stated “In a time where the urgency to strengthen health systems has never been greater, Dr. Eniayewun’s memoir is both timely and necessary. His book, in its reflective candour and detail, does more than recount personal milestones, it offers a window into the challenges, triumphs, and unwavering commitment it takes to lead systemic transformation within one of Africa’s most populous and complex megacities”.
She commended the bold step to document these impactful experiences, noting that this important work will serve as a guiding light for health professionals, public sector leaders, policy architects, and future generation.
The event was graced by the First Lady of Lagos State; H.E. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, and other notable dignitaries.
#Wellbeingforall #HealthLeadership
Honoring The Grand Khadi of Kwara State; Honourable Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen Al-Adaby.
Our National Programmes Lead Mr. Kehinde Akinsola at the Old Moot Court at Ilorin, proudly represented Her Excellency @ToyinSaraki at the 10th Edition of the Maslaha Journal Public Presentation & 2nd Scholars’ Debate at the University of Ilorin, hosted by Prof. Nimah M. Abdul-Raheem and Prof. Azizat O. Amoloye-Adebayo. This was a convergence of brilliant minds committed to justice, equity, and scholarship that honoured the lifelong service of Grand Khadi of Kwara State, Honourable Justice Abdul-Lateef Kamaldeen Al-Adaby.
Under the theme: “Sacred Law in a Changing World: Islamic Law and the Pursuit of Equitable Access to Justice,” this year’s forum explored the intersections of tradition and modernity, where students debated AI Imprisonment and Predictive Policing.
Having actively supported Moot Court Competitions at state and national levels through our WBFA Alaafia Kwara Initiative’s Toyin Saraki & Liberty Chambers Moot Court Competition historically, it was an honour to support this vital academic initiative in modern times with a token fiscal contribution towards the continued growth of the Maslaha Journal, a beacon of Islamic legal thought and a platform for informed youth engagement.
To every student who debated, questioned, and reflected yesterday, your pursuit of justice through knowledge and faith inspires hope in our shared future.
#Wellbeingforall #AlaafiaKwara #YouthInJustice #MaslahaJournal #IslamicLaw
Taking charge as a hygiene influencer begins with embracing hygiene not just as a routine, but as a lifestyle, one that becomes second nature and part of everyday living. through the WBFA - @DettolNigeria Hygiene Quest program, we are fostering a new culture of community-led hygiene advocacy.
Our Nurse Educators are working closely with key individuals in local communities, including traditional leaders, communal chiefs, and respected figures, to champion the message of consistent and proper hygiene practices. These individuals are not only learning but are also becoming hygiene influencers—role models who inspire and guide others in their community by demonstrating the importance of hand hygiene and setting an example for others to follow.
We recognize that sustainable change stems from within, which is why our long-term plan includes actively engaging these local influencers. Their involvement ensures that the knowledge shared during our sessions is not only retained but translated into daily action, driving a ripple effect across their communities.
#Washwednesday #Hygienequest
Did you know that exclusive breastfeeding is a powerful lifeline especially for preterm and vulnerable newborns?
Through our #NICUPlus program, we continue to educate mothers on the incredible benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, particularly in Neonatal Intensive Care Units:
Here are 4 facts you should know about exclusive breast feeding:
1. Nature’s Perfect First Vaccine: Colostrum, the first milk, is rich in antibodies that protect newborns from infections, especially in their earliest, most fragile days.
2. Supports Brain Development: Breast milk contains essential fatty acids and nutrients that help build a baby’s brain which critical for preterm infants developing.
3. Strengthens Bonding: Skin-to-skin and breastfeeding enhance emotional bonding, helping mothers connect deeply with their newborns even inside an incubator.
4. Reduces Hospital Stay: Exclusively breastfed preterm babies are less likely to experience complications, allowing for quicker recovery and shorter NICU admissions.
#ThriveThursday #WBFA #ExclusiveBreastfeeding