REPORT ON THE VISIT OF CEmONC EVALUATORS TO ST. MARY’S CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, UMUOWA, ORLU.   SEPTEMBER 2025

As part of the South East Quality Improvement Project for hospitals designated under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) programme, a national evaluation team visited St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa, Orlu to monitor, assess, and strengthen the quality of maternal and newborn health services.

It is noteworthy that our hospital is the only private hospital in the entire state currently participating in the CEmONC programme, a recognition of our commitment to delivering high-quality, lifesaving maternal and newborn care.

About CEmONC
CEmONC (Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care) is a national programme designed to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by improving FREE access to timely, specialized, and high-quality care to indigent patients with obstetric emergencies. It ensures that hospitals are equipped and staffed to handle obstetric emergencies, provide safe delivery services, perform essential surgeries such as cesarean sections, and deliver comprehensive newborn care. The ultimate goal is to save lives, strengthen referral systems, and improve maternal and child health outcomes across Nigeria.

The evaluation team was formally received by the hospital management and held a meeting with the Medical Director and the hospital’s multidisciplinary team on CEmONC. Following the meeting, the evaluators were conducted on a detailed tour of the hospital facilities.

During the visit, the team assessed critical service areas including the Outpatient Department (OPD), Antenatal and Postnatal Clinics, the Labour Ward and Maternity Unit, as well as the Adolescent and Neonatal Wards. They also reviewed the Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Blood Bank services, in addition to the General Wards and other support facilities, notably the Radiology Unit.

In the course of the tour, the evaluators reviewed operational standards and assessed the quality of healthcare delivery, standards, protocols of care, and checklists of associated services, as well as the overall quality of service delivery. At the conclusion of the exercise, the team expressed great satisfaction with the hospital’s level of practice, organizational structure, and commitment to providing high-quality maternal and newborn care. They noted the close referral support given to primary health care providers, and the recent maternal mortality workshop conducted for over 75 maternities in the region. They also particularly commended the cleanliness of the environment, staff dedication, and the availability of all essential services.

Speaking during the interaction, the Medical Director of St. Mary’s, Dr. Obi Onukogu, highlighted the hospital’s broader role in advancing maternal health in the region. He stated: “As part of our commitment to the CEmONC vision, St. Mary’s has gone beyond service delivery to capacity building. We recently organized a Maternal Mortality Reduction Workshop for over 75 maternities and health centres in the zone, strengthening referral pathways and empowering frontline health workers with the skills needed to prevent avoidable maternal deaths. This is in line with our mission to save lives and improve maternal and newborn outcomes across the region.”

Also speaking during the visit, the Project Lead, NHIA–CEmONC South East, Dr. Zeluwa Maikori, praised the hospital’s dedication and impact. She noted: “St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa, Orlu, has demonstrated exemplary dedication to maternal and newborn health. The hospital stands out not only for its infrastructure and service delivery but also for the passion and commitment of its staff. As the only private hospital in this programme within the state, St. Mary’s is setting a strong example of how private facilities can contribute meaningfully to national health goals, particularly the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality.”

The visit was highly successful, and the positive review stands as a testament to St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital, Umuowa, Orlu’s dedication to safe, effective, and patient-centered maternal and newborn health services.