Globally, 260,000 mothers lose thier lives due to pregnancy and childbirth complications every year, and 1 million newborns die on their day of birth. Many of these deaths result from preventable causes - and most occur in low-income countries.
Simulation-based training gives healthcare workers the skills and confidence to manage childbirth and complications like postpartum hemorrhage. But in many places, training opportunities are limited. That is why FIGO and Laerdal Global Health are inviting FIGO Member Societies to apply to receive MamaBirthie CS and/or MamaNatalie, along with Helping Mothers and Babies Survive educational materials.
MamaBirthie CS allows healthcare professionals to train for both normal and necessary cesarean births in a realistic and hands-on environment. It enables users to practice evidence-based surgical techniques essential for safe c-sections, such as delivery, placenta removal, and suturing.
MamaNatalie is a wearable device designed to help healthcare professionals manage normal deliveries as well as complications such as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). It provides a highly realistic experience by simulating bleeding of up to one liter, making them particularly effective for teaching the active management of the third stage of labor.
Together with FIGO, thanks to the Laerdal Buy One, Gift One initiative, we aim to expand access to critical training for childbirth and emergency obstetric care. Using the MamaBirthie CS and MamaNatalie simulators, healthcare professionals can practice vital skills for both normal deliveries and safe cesarean sections. These hands-on training tools help clinicians confidently manage complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, promoting safer births and improved outcomes for mothers and newborns.
To be able to support as many qualified projects as possible, we will as a general rule have to restrict the offer to 1 simulator per 20 students or healthcare personnel planned to be trained.
Applications will be accepted starting October 5, 2025, until November 30, 2025.
The simulators will be distributed free of cost to selected programs through Laerdal's Buy One Gift One program. The receiver is responsible for the costs of bringing the products from Laerdal facility in Suzhou or Stavanger to the final destination where the products are to be delivered. This includes, but is not limited to shipping costs, declaration costs, local delivery cost (for CPT terms), destination duties, warehouse storage fee, demurrage fee, container return, damage cost, labor fee, pre-inspection certificate, certificate of origin (if applicable).
As part of Laerdal's Buy One Gift One program, we aim to distribute the simulators to the right organizations who are in a position to fully utilize the simulators to create a positive impact on maternal health. Applicants will be evaluated and shortlisted based on their program goals, objectives, sustainability, impact potential, partnerships and requirements.
Currently, Laerdal Global Health does not have any funding available for organizations or individuals to apply for. However, Laerdal Foundation provides support to research projects focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals on 3.1 and 3.2.