Isiyaku Ahmed
The President of the African Perinatal Society (APS), Professor Aliyu Labaran Dayyabu, has announced plans to establish the African Centre for Perinatal Research and Training (ACPRT) to strengthen research and capacity building in maternal, fetal and newborn healthcare across Africa.
Prof. Dayyabu disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering his welcome address at the 2nd International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine, held at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
He said the proposed centre, for which the APS had already developed a proposal and architectural design, would provide opportunities for research in various aspects of perinatal medicine and training for frontline healthcare workers.
According to him, the proposal would be presented to partners and potential funders at the International Academy of Perinatal Medicine (IAPM) Congress scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in October 2026.
Prof. Dayyabu expressed confidence that the necessary funding would be secured to establish the centre.
“With this centre in place, opportunities for research in all aspects of perinatal medicine will be available. Also, training opportunities will be available to our frontline healthcare workers to improve their capacities to provide quality perinatal care to our pregnant women and neonates,” he said.
The APS president said the society was established in 2016 at the behest of the International Academy of Perinatal Medicine under the leadership of its then president, Professor Asim Kurjak.
He explained that the organization, registered in Nigeria as a non-profit humanitarian society, was established to bring together groups and individuals across Africa to promote the science of perinatal medicine for the benefit of pregnant women, their fetuses and newborns.
Prof. Dayyabu noted that the congress had brought together clinicians, researchers, educators, sonographers, midwives, nurses, policymakers, industry partners and trainees from Africa and other parts of the world.
He said ultrasound had transformed modern obstetric and fetal medicine, becoming an indispensable tool in pregnancy confirmation, diagnosis of congenital anomalies, fetal growth assessment, intrapartum decision-making and postpartum care.
However, he stressed that technology alone could not address the continent’s maternal and newborn health challenges.
According to the Prof, the value of ultrasound technology depends on equitable access, quality training, ethical practice and evidence-based application.
“Across Africa, we continue to face significant challenges, including maternal mortality, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and disparities in access to quality healthcare,” he said.
He, however, said the challenges also presented opportunities for innovation, partnership, capacity building and research.
The APS president called for stronger collaboration among health professionals and institutions, stressing that improved workforce capacity and adoption of appropriate technologies could help make pregnancies safer and give newborns better chances of survival.
He said the congress would provide opportunities for scientific discussions, practical workshops, debates and professional networking aimed at advancing ultrasound and perinatal medicine.
Prof. Dayyabu reaffirmed the APS’s commitment to promoting excellence in clinical practice, education, research, advocacy and collaboration across Africa.
He said partnerships between African institutions and the global scientific community were essential to accelerating efforts to reduce preventable maternal and perinatal deaths and improve the quality of healthcare.
The APS president also disclosed that since its establishment, the society had participated in several national and international conferences, organized training workshops for frontline health workers, published three books and two book chapters, and produced several research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
He urged participants at the congress to actively engage in scientific sessions, discussions and professional networking while mentoring younger colleagues and taking new ideas back to their respective institutions.
Prof. Dayyabu commended the organizing and scientific committees, faculty members, sponsors, exhibitors and partner organizations for their contributions to the success of the congress.
He said the collective efforts of stakeholders could help create a future where innovation in perinatal medicine was accessible, and quality maternal, fetal and newborn care was available to every family.
The APS president subsequently declared the 2nd International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine officially open.
