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Tag: NPHCDA

  • FG declares state of emergency on public health

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has declared a state of emergency on public health concern on maternal  newborn and child death occurring at the primary health centres.

    A Similar declaration is expected in the states in the next few days to track maternal and child mortality.

    The agency also set a target of reducing the mortality rate in maternal and child by half in the next two years.

    The states also assured of their buy in to ensure that the initiative achieve its purpose

    Nigeria has one of the worst record in maternal and child mortality in the world. It is recorded that in Nigeria approximately 145 women under the age of 15-45  die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth while 2300 children under five years old die mainly from preventable causes

    Consequently, the agency said it will establish a national coordination centre within the agency to provide oversight on the ourl8ned activities .

    The centre, according to the Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Fasal Shuaib shall be called the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre. (NEMCHIC).

    Already, the country has received support worth $1.3l million  which is to be matched by the government $1.97 million for the next ten years. This fund is fto suppirt the country’s immunization programme as part of the efforts to reduce maternal and child mortaliry in Nigeria.

    Shuaib who lamented appalling health statistic in the country, especially in the area of maternal and child mortality rate noted that there is the need to break the culture of silence over preventable deaths in the country.

    He said: “Having noted the high rate of maternal, newborn and H dear-5 child mortality, and the insufficiency of our current efforts to reverse the trend, I hereby declare a state of public health concern on maternal, newborn and child deaths occurring at the Primary Health Care and Community levels and a decision to establish a National Coordinator Centre within the NPHCDA to provide oversight on RMNCAH + N activities at the Primary Health Care level.”

    This Centre he said shall be called the National Emergency Maternal and Child Health Intervention Centre (NEMCHIC).

    To ensure the success of the new initiative to address the situation, he said the Centre will work with the National Polio Emergency Operations Centre and transit polio resources towards RMNCAH +N.

    On what the agency will be doing differently, he said the government at the Centre will urgently take action by providing leadership to reverse the trend by half years 2021.

    The NPHCDA boss also noted that steps will be taking to investigate death of any woman related to childbirth.

    To this he also noted that a toll-free numbers will be provided for Nigerians to supply information so as to raise the sense of accountability for such a preventable deaths.

    Besides, Shuaib said attention will be paid to all the states in the country since no state has been able to reach the target.

    The 36 states of the Federation have also assured of their buy in to ensure that the initiative achieve its purpose.

     

  • Agency decries high child, maternal mortality rate

    Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has decried the high rate in maternal and child mortality rate in the country.

    Shuaib made the condemnation on Monday in Abuja, while presenting the agency’s strategic approach to rapidly reduce maternal and child mortality at community levels.

    The executive director declared a state of public health concern on maternal, newborn and child deaths occurring at primary health care (PHC) and community levels.

    “Every day in Nigeria, approximately 145 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, this is equivalent to having 1 Boeing 737-300 series airplane, fully loaded with 145 women crashing every single day in Nigeria, killing everyone on board.

    “Every day in Nigeria, approximately 2,300 children under five years die mainly from preventable causes.

    “Similarly, this is equivalent to having 15 Boeing 737-300 series airplanes fully loaded with 145 children under five years old, crashing every single day in Nigeria and killing all the children on board.

    “One out of every eight Nigerian children dies before having a chance to celebrate his or her 5th birthday.

    “Having noted the high rate of maternal, newborn and under-five child mortality and the insufficiency of our efforts to reverse the trend, I hereby declare a state of public health concern on maternal, newborn and child deaths occurring at the primary health care (PHC) and community levels.’’Shuaib said the establishment of a National Coordination Centre within the NPHCDA to provide oversight on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) activities at PHC level, would help tackle the challenge of preventable deaths.

    Also, a traditional ruler from Bayelsa His Royal Highness Alfred Diette-Spiff, who was a special guest at the event, commended efforts by the federal and some state governments to address mortality rates.

    He said child birth should be a pleasant experience for mothers and a happy moment for the family and the nation.

    “Childbirth should be a very pleasant experience for mothers and a happy occasion for the family and nation, but when you have to say a prayer instead as though the mothers are being condemned; it is time we take action.

    “I am happy that the Federal Government has risen to this challenge and taken the bold step to get all of us together.

    “Some states have also taken the bold step already; our state Bayelsa has launched their programme about 6-7 weeks ago.

    “Every pregnant woman is put on a small stipend to encourage them go for ante-natal.

    “So this is the right step in the right direction, as we have decided to take the bull by the horn, and having put our hands to the plough, there is no turning back,’’.

    Dr Eugene Kongnyuy , United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Acting Country Representative, said the new project aligns with the vision of UNFPA, and its three transformative resources, one of which he said was to prevent or end maternal deaths.

  • President Buhari to inaugurate CHIPS in Lafia

    President Buhari to inaugurate CHIPS in Lafia

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency ( NPHCDA ) says President Muhammadu Buhari will inaugurate the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) programme in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

    A statement issued by Mr Saadu Salahu, Head, Public Relations Unit of NPHCDA, on Wednesday in Abuja, said the president would inaugurate the programme on Feb. 6.

    Salahu said the inauguration of the programme was a major part of activities lined up for the official working visit of the President to the state.

    CHIPS is one of the initiatives of Buhari’s administration and a critical component of Primary Health Care (PHC) Revitalisation programme, particularly in addressing challenges of human resources for health in the rural areas.

    Salahu quoted Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, NPHCDA, as saying that the overall aim of CHIPS Programme is to improve access and equitable coverage to essential health services.

    He said such essential health services include maternal, new born and child survival, among others.

    Salahu added that other objectives of the programme include addressing barriers to demand for primary health care services, ensuring supply of integrated PHC interventions.

    According to him, the programme also aim to link the health workforce at health centres in rural communities to the households and tackle delays in decision to seek care, accessing care and receiving adequate healthcare.

    Read Also: Killings threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty, says Buhari

    The News  reports that an average of 10 women per ward who posses minimum of elementary or secondary school education would be identified to participate in the programme.

    The identified women would be trained on basic health services such as provision of first aid, motivational talks, and promotion of hygiene and environmental sanitation in the community.

    The women would also conduct a house-to-house visit with the aim of improving ante-natal and other health services.

    According to Salahu, the programme will change the landscape of primary health care system.

    The agency would visit remote areas where people lack access to health care, the spokesman said.

    He disclosed that the trained women would not replace Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) and Juniors Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW) as the case may be.

    “What NPHCDA observed was that a lot of those who serve under CHEWs and JCHEWs are now resident in the health facilities and they don’t do extension work like it was originally planned,” Salahu said.

    NAN

  • 3,027 pregnant women live with HIV in Nigeria – NPHCDA

    3,027 pregnant women live with HIV in Nigeria – NPHCDA

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said on Friday 3,027 out of 121,396 pregnant women tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during the first round of the Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) Week.

    A representative of the Agency, Victoria Azodoh, disclosed this at a three -day seminar on Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) for Wives of North Central Governors in Minna.

    She also said 1,870 out of 129,838 women of child bearing age also tested positive to HIV.

    Azodoh said the data was gathered during the MNCH week nationwide.

    She also said 336,430 children were immunized, 29,265,569 given Vitamin A and 15,240676 dewormed across Nigeria.

    The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, expressed dismay at the high malnutrition and maternal and child mortality rate in the country, describing it as disheartening.

    Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by former deputy Governor of Plateau State,  Chief Pauline Tallen, said the situation whereby the nation records 120 deaths per 1000 live birth is unacceptable and should be addressed.

     

  • Meningitis death toll hits 745

    Meningitis death toll hits 745

    The death toll from the meningitis outbreak in the country has reached 745 since November 2016.

    According to the update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday, 8,057 suspected cases of meningitis have been reported across the country so far.

    Of the 8,057 cases, 7,519 (93 per cent) occurred in five states that had reached outbreak levels for Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) serotype C.

    The five affected states are — Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger.

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the NCDC are working assiduously to contain the outbreak.

    Both government agencies noted that they have stepped up their activities.

    These include raising awareness of the outbreak in communities, implementing enhanced surveillance to quickly detect and report new cases, vaccinating populations at the highest risk and treating persons diagnosed with the disease, as well as outbreak preparation in local government areas and states at risk of the outbreak.

     

  • Agency assists Ogun to fight tetanus

    Agency assists Ogun to fight tetanus

    The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has expressed its determination towards reducing tetanus infection to a zero level in Ogun State.

    Head, non-polio supplementary immunisation activities in the agency, Dr. Nneka Onwu who led a team of experts to the state, said that necessary steps were being taken to scale up activities that would eliminate tetanus among people of all ages; especially women of child-bearing age and the newborn.

    Speaking during the sensitisation programme on train the trainers in Abeokuta, Dr. Onwu, who described tetanus/lockjaw as bacterial infection caused by the germ known as clostridium tetanus that grows in damaged tissues of wound or in a baby’s umbilical cords, said that efforts are on to achieve less than one case of the infection by 2015.

    She said: “Tetanus infections contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths in the country. Certain strategies have been mapped out to address the menace for total elimination of the disease.”

    The medical expert maintained that attention would be concentrated on the area of strengthening routine Immunisation for improved coverage of tetanus immunisation performance, adding that this would be achieved by conducting three rounds of maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination campaign in high risk local government areas, Ante-natal care through fixed, outreach and mobile strategies and strengthening of school-based tetanus toxoid campaigns.

    She added that promotion of clean cord remains paramount as preventive measure towards eliminating tetanus. She also noted that this would be achieved through capacity building for health workers, enhancing the midwives services scheme, provision of delivery kits, promotion of clean delivery practices at maternity institutions, home and communities; through social mobilisation and awareness campaigns.

    “We shall also focus attention on proper surveillance aimed at improving case detection and response, monitoring, supervision and proper documentation on issues relating to tetanus,” she said.

    Dr. Onwu stated that communication, child survival and maternal health activities such as Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week would be improved upon to achieve their targets.

    The Director, Primary Healthcare Service in the state Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Kafayat Lawal commended the efforts of the parent agency in improving the health status of people, especially women and children on issues relating to tetanus.

    Dr. Lawal further said that the gesture would help to record more achievements on preventive measures on tetanus infection.

    “Over the years, there is improved protection of children against tetanus in Ogun State. Our DPT 3 coverage has increased from 64 per cent in 2009 to 88 per cent in 2011 while the maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination case has reduced from 104 in 2006 to five cases in 2010 after the tetanus toxin intervention campaign and reduction of 16 deaths of tetanus infection in 2006 to 1 death in 2010. This has been maintained till date,” she said.

  • Ogun gets support to eliminate tetanus

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reiterated its commitment towards the elimination of tetanus infection in Ogun State.

    Its head of non-polio supplementary immunisation activities in the agency, Dr. Nneka Onwu said necessary steps are being taken to scale up activities that would eliminate tetanus in the state.

    Speaking at the sensitisation on the Train the Trainers (TT) for the concerned health personnel in Abeokuta, Mrs Onwu described tetanus/lockjaw as bacteria infection caused by the germ “clostridium Tetanus” that grows in damaged tissues of wound or in a baby’s umbilical cords.

    She said efforts are in top gear to reduce the disease burden to less than one case of the infection by 2015.

    “Tetanus infections contribute to maternal and neonatal deaths in the country and certain strategies have been mapped out to address the menace for a total elimination of the disease,” she added.

    Mrs Onwu maintained that attention would be concentrated in the area of strengthening Routine Immunization (RI) for improved coverage of tetanus immunisation performance.

    This, she added would be achieved by conducting three rounds of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign in high risk local government, Ante-natal care through fixed, outreach and mobile strategies and strengthening of school Based Tetanus Toxoid campaigns.

  • ‘Fed Govt may not attain MDGs in 2015’

    ‘Fed Govt may not attain MDGs in 2015’

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Hon. Alhassan Doguwa has warned that Nigeria is at the risk of missing its target on the MDGs by 2015.

    He identified diversion of core MDGs to other programmes by state and local governments.

    This is in addition to the Federal Government’s decision not to release funds on time to Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) as it was the case with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

    Doguwa gave the warning during an exclusive interview with The Nation in Abuja.

    He observed that most MDG programmes approved for execution are not key projects that could fast track attainment of the set goals.

    However, he noted that the Federal Government does not have any excuse to miss the target by 2015.

    The United Nations Country Representative, Dr. Dawoudu Toure had earlier gave a warning on the risk of Nigeria missing the target on in Abuja.

    He attributed the significant role the country plays in the African continent, stressing that its failure may prevent other African nations from realizing the set target.

    Doguwa said: “The problem of partnering stakeholders. I am not indicting anybody and I have not found any case yet that may indict any stakeholder that might be diverting or derailing on the course of the MDGs or misusing MDGs funds. I am quite confident that some of the projects being embarked upon being at the State or Local government level are not very relevant.

    “They are not core MDGs projects. Let us call on all stakeholders be it Local or State governments that are partners to the attainment of these goals so that they must have to look at core MDGs projects that will improve our lot in actualising the MDGs goals.”

    On funding, the lawmaker stated that the MDGs Office has more windows to source for funds and execute its programmes aside from the conventional $1 million. He said the National Assembly have agreed to spend their constituency funds in order to boost the MDGs ahead of its deadline.

    Identifying the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) and Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as few of the best approaches adopted by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol to fight hunger and poverty, he noted that there was need to create awareness for communities benefiting the MDGs, to claim ownership and maintain MDGs projects after execution.

    He said: “The NPHCDA is enjoying a big chunk of money from the MDGs because most of the monies we give to them have to do with issues of campaign, immunization among others. If you go through the budget performance, it is the only agency in this country that receives 100 per cent release of funds at the same time because of the implication of programmes they embarked upon. Because of what they are doing to the achievement of the MDGs 4,5 and 6, government is giving them that priority.

    “I must thank Federal Government for doing this. When we conducted our oversight, we discovered that government released 100 per cent fund accruable to the agency. It’s a welcome development but government should realize that since we are dealing with intervention fund, a fund that has international implication, government should have make same thing available to all agencies enjoying MDGs funds because it’s a special fund, and we have made international commitment with world leaders that will help us fast track the MDGs by 2015.”

    However, he allayed fear of the country not achieving its goal on gender equality and global partnership for international development.

    The lawmaker attributed the nation’s unique cultural belief and its technical know-how.

    “Irrespective of the person, state or local governments, the moment you embark on pro-poor projects via MDGs, it doesn’t matter where you get the funds from but what we believe is if the commitment is there, if the level of sincerity is improved, if the seriousness is also entrenched in the mind of our leaders, certainly, we have all that it takes to succeed by 2015 with exception to gender equality and global partnership. As for the other six, I believe Nigeria can perform and we still have some time to make it up,” he said.

    Doguwa advised the Federal Government to ensure complete release of funds for MDAs responsible for executing MDGs programmes. This step, according to him will contribute to the goal attainment.

    “If you look at the trend of things in Africa, whether you like it or not, it’s not about resources, we have to tell ourselves the bitter truth. It has to do with the commitment and sincerity of our leaders. They have to be sincere; they have to stand to their responsibilities so that we can be able to maintain the leading status of Nigeria in the continent of Africa,” Doguwa added.