FORWARD in NigeriaImproving Service Delivery for Maternal and Child Health in Kano and Jigawa States, Nigeria - Well Women and Children's Centres (WWCCs).
Client recovering from surgery at Jahun VVF Centre FORWARD has been working in Nigeria since 1998 but our current programme, to improve the service delivery for maternal and child health and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other STIs in Northern Nigeria began in October 2004. This programme is being undertaken with our sister organisation FORWARD-Nigeria and is funded by Big Lottery Fund (UK). This innovative project aims to strengthen the capacity of existing health workers and systems, including Traditional Birth Attendants, by providing them with necessary training, facilities and equipment.
Client with her baby born after recovery from VVF surgery at Jahun VVF Centre, Jigawa Well Women and Children's Centres (WWCCs) have now been set up in both Kano and Jigawa states and trained staff are providing ante and post-natal care and general health services to women and children under five. WWCC staff activities include the provision of immunisations, anti-malarials and iron supplements as well as giving health talks to clients on a broad range of maternal and child health topics such as food preparation, nutrition in pregnancy and, sexual health and general child health. Advocacy, networking and awareness-raising activities are also being carried out by project staff at both State and local government level as well as with traditional community leaders and local communities who have given their full support to the project. By building upon existing maternal and child health services rather than creating new ones, the project is more likely to achieve its goal of sustainable improvements in Maternal and Child Health.
Client receives a routine health check at Jahun WWCC As part of its advocacy and awareness-raising activities, the project has launched a media campaign using radio as an effective means of reaching the widest audience. Based on a survey conducted within target communities to ascertain a) the health problems affecting girls and women, b) the most suitable times for airing the programme (to ensure a wide audience, particularly of girls and women) and c) a suitable name for the programme, "Tsarabar Mata", "A Gift for Women", is a weekly Hausa discussion program, aired on Radio Freedom (99.5 FM), which explores a diverse range of sexual and reproductive health issues. A different topic is explored each week and listeners may participate in the discussion by sending in their questions and comments via text message, emails or post. The program was first aired on the 3rd March 2005 and has since become a popular and extremely valuable tool for information sharing and responding to the information needs of women and children. The project also supports FORWARD's ongoing campaign to prevent Vesico-Vagina Fistula (VVF) among young women in Kano and Jigawa states. In addition to advocacy and awareness raising activities, two VVF Centres (one in Kano and one in Jigawa) are currently in operation providing surgical repair and rehabilitation services to women suffering from VVF. Through experience, FORWARD has learned that the provision of surgical repair to VVF sufferers is not enough. A holistic approach, addressing issues of economic empowerment, education and rights, as well as reproductive health issues, is needed in order to ensure a long-lasting impact. This is why FORWARD works with local partners to provide vocational and literacy education, rehabilitation and emotional support services to fistula sufferers alongside the surgical repair.
Clients learn new skills at Dambatta VVF Centre, Kano By empowering women with skills and knowledge relating to good health as well as to economic development and civil and political rights, FORWARD ensures that clients who have undergone operations return to their communities with improved chances of a better quality of life. However, due to a current lack of funds, six years of successful rehabilitation and social skills acquisition activities have recently had to be put on hold. FORWARD continues to seek funding to keep these vital activities running but the project desperately needs your support! More informationMore information about this project and our previous programmes in Nigeria is available in the news section as well as our Annual Reports and Newsletters. A BBC news article on Fistula in Nigeria which mentions our VVF clinic is available on the BBC website here. Help usPlease click here if you would like to make a single or regular donation to our work. If you would like your donation to go to this project then please note this on the form. |
