By The PPH Foundation
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Globally, about 1 in 10 women experience significant bleeding during delivery, and nearly 27% of maternal deaths in low- and middle-income countries are attributed to PPH. In Kenya, the situation mirrors these global trends, with hundreds of preventable deaths occurring each year. Behind the statistics are women scientists whose dedication, precision, and innovation are transforming outcomes for mothers, combining rigorous research with practical solutions that save lives.
In Kenya, Professor Zahida Qureshi of the University of Nairobi has been a driving force in implementing objective measurement of blood loss using calibrated blood-collection drapes. Visual estimation of bleeding, long the standard in many facilities, often underestimates true blood loss, delaying lifesaving interventions. Under Professor Qureshi’s leadership, the use of calibrated drapes in hospitals across Kenya has been coupled with structured first-response treatment bundles that include uterotonics, tranexamic acid, IV fluids, and timely escalation for surgical care when needed. Multi-country evidence from the E-MOTIVE trial, which included Kenyan hospitals, demonstrates that this approach reduces severe PPH and related complications by about 60% compared with standard care. Beyond trial settings, Kenyan teams continue to train staff and integrate these tools into routine practice, showing how research can translate into sustainable change.
Globally, women researchers have also shaped the evidence base for PPH management. Professor Haleema Shakur-Still led the WOMAN Trial, the largest randomized study on the use of tranexamic acid for postpartum bleeding, enrolling more than 20,000 women across 21 countries. The study conclusively showed that early administration of tranexamic acid significantly lowers death from bleeding, influencing World Health Organization recommendations and reshaping treatment protocols worldwide. For Shakur-Still and her team, the motivation is clear: “Early, evidence-based intervention can prevent mothers from dying from a condition that is entirely treatable if recognized and addressed in time.”
The story of scientific innovation in maternal health also reaches back decades. Japanese medical scientist Utako Okamoto discovered tranexamic acid in the 1950s while studying ways to stop dangerous postpartum bleeding. Despite operating in a male-dominated field, she persisted, and her work laid the foundation for decades of clinical research that continues to save lives today.
Women like Professor Qureshi, Professor Shakur-Still, and Utako Okamoto show that tackling PPH requires more than drugs or devices; it demands an integrated approach combining research, systems thinking, and compassion. In South Africa, Professor Salome Maswime emphasizes the importance of quality surgical care and health system readiness, noting that reducing PPH deaths depends not only on individual interventions but also on policies, training, and accessible care. Across the continent and the world, these women demonstrate that love for mothers is expressed through rigor, foresight, and dedication to ensuring no woman dies from a preventable complication.
Sources
https://jogeca.com/index.php/jogeca/article/view/149
https://jogeca.com/index.php/jogeca/article/view/133
https://www.who.int/news/item/09-05-2023-lifesaving-solution-dramatically-reduces-severe-bleeding-after-childbirth
https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2017/woman-trial-results
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haleema_Shakur-Still
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utako_Okamoto
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