Emergency Obstetric Care and Quality of Care Unit

Dr Charles Ameh leads the unit and is co-Director of the World Health Organisation Centre for Research in Maternal and Newborn Health, alongside Professor Dame Tina Lavender.

The research focus of the EmOC&QoC unit includes evaluation and implementation research aimed at strengthening health systems for women and newborns. Specific areas of research include Antenatal Care (ANC), Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC), Quality of Care and Obstetric clinical care monitoring tools.

As agreed by World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Pediatric Association (IPA) in 2018, Skilled health personnel, are competent maternal and newborn health (MNH) professionals educated, trained and regulated to national and international standards. They are competent to: (i) provide and promote evidence-based, human-rights based, quality, socio-culturally sensitive and dignified care to women and newborns; (ii) facilitate physiological processes during labour and delivery to ensure a clean and positive childbirth experience; and (iii) identify and manage or refer women and/or newborns with complications. Skilled Health Personnel, working within enabling environments are critical for improved quality of care and improving maternal health.

What we do

The Emergency Obstetric Care and Quality of Care Unit, has 3 main objectives, aligned to the mission and vision of LSTM

To conduct research on ways to reduce maternal mortality/morbidity through improving quality of care.
To combine rigorous research with capacity strengthening and technical support to optimise impact.
To work in partnership with policy makers and local research leaders to ensure research is relevant to local needs and informs policy considerations.