SFH Nigeria Website 
News and Photo Stories -Week 42
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by
SFH IN THE NEWS
Sobi101.9FM, 15 October 2024
Kwara Commends Society for Family Health on Effective Partnership
The Kwara State Government has commended the Society for Family Health (SFH) for their effective partnership in improving healthcare services in the State. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-lmam made the commendation today at the training session organized by the SFH for their ongoing capacity-building sessions for family planning coordinators and secondary health facilities across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
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Vanguard, 11 October 2024
3,084 WIDs successfully linked to NSP as RIHHWID Project rounds off
A total of 3,084 Women Injecting Drugs, WIDs were successfully linked to the National Needle and Syringe Programme, NSP between 2022 and 2024. Similarly, 663 women were linked to cervical cancer screening within the period through the Society for Family Health Reducing the Incidence of HIV and Hepatitis among Women Who Inject Drugs, SFH RIHHWID Project. The project which equally reached 7,540 WIDs, provided HIV testing services to 5,412 just as it screened 3,878 for Hepatitis C and linked 61 women to HIV treatment, respectively. Implemented by the Society for Family Health with funding from ViiV Healthcare Positive Action, the project aimed at addressing challenges in three pilot states of Abia, Gombe and Oyo.
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SFH ACTIVITIES
SFH Sierra Leone Participates in the National Youth and Adolescent Family Planning Conference 2024
The Sierra Leone Health Alert invited Society for Family Health to participate in the National Youth and Adolescent Family Planning Conference 2024. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Health with support from USAID Momentum, this event served as a crucial platform for advancing family health initiatives in Sierra Leone. Our team actively engaged in various sessions aimed at promoting family planning awareness among youth and adolescents. Contributions included participation in discussions, sharing insights on reproductive health, and showcasing ongoing efforts to tackle family health challenges in the country.
A booth was set up to display a variety of family planning products, such as the Gold Circle condom and Plannor. The booth attracted many young attendees eager to learn more about available contraception options. This engagement provided an opportunity to disseminate essential information and raise awareness about the importance of reproductive health and contraceptive methods. The conference also drew the attention of key stakeholders and health partners, whose presence underscored a shared commitment to improving family health services across Sierra Leone. Participation in the event helped drive important conversations around family planning, ensuring that youth and adolescents are better informed about their reproductive health choices.
SFH COF Project holds Town Hall Meeting on Sustainable Child Spacing Interventions in Kano State
SFH COF Project, in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Health, held a two-day town hall meeting with stakeholders from 16th to 17th October 2024 in Kano State. The meeting aimed to promote sustainable interventions by integrating the project’s successes to enhance access to child spacing services and expand contraceptive options in the state. Participants at the meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Ministry of Women Affairs, alongside Traditional Rulers, Ward Development Committee members, Women Leaders, Youth Champions, and implementing partners including Marie Stopes International (MSI) and the Development Research & Project Centre (DRPC).
In his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Shehu Sani Shehu commended SFH for its significant contributions through the COF project and other initiatives in Kano. He emphasised the importance of engaging stakeholders and communities at the planning stage to ensure successful project implementation. He explained that the decision to prioritise child spacing services for married women was made after careful consideration. He further noted, “Given the current economic realities, child spacing services should be encouraged. If we continue having children without the means to care for and guide them, they risk becoming a burden and threat to society.” Stakeholders at the meeting actively discussed child spacing options and pledged to use every available platform, both in their communities and at various meetings, to promote awareness of the importance of child spacing. This engagement aligns with the SFH-COF Hormonal IUD scale-up project, which collaborates with federal and state health ministries to build healthcare providers’ capacity, support demand generation efforts, and strengthen data systems. The COF project, implemented in Delta and Kano states, aims to improve access to Hormonal IUDs and enhance the quality of FP services across Nigeria.
SFH Commences Implementation of Free ITN Mass Distribution in Ogun State
In a bid to reduce the incidence of malaria, Society for Family Health (SFH), in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and GRID 3, has begun preparations for the 2024 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) mass distribution campaign in Ogun State. The campaign kicked off with a National Training of Trainers (NToT) from October 11th to 13th, 2024, aimed at equipping national stakeholders with the necessary skills and strategies for the campaign’s success. An entry meeting was held on October 14th, 2024, with the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Mrs Tomi Coker, and other top officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Health.
During the meeting, Mr John Ocholi led the SFH delegation and delivered a speech on behalf of SFH Managing Director, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, highlighting the importance of the campaign in the fight against malaria and reducing the burden of malaria. Dr Coker, in her remarks, reaffirmed the Ogun State Government’s commitment to combating malaria and ensuring the success of the ITN distribution campaign. Following the entry meeting, SFH conducted the State Training of Trainers (SToT) from October 15th to 16th, 2024 at Mokland Hotel Abeokuta. The training aimed at enhancing the capacity of state technical assistants and Local Government Area (LGA) coordinators on the strategies required for the successful implementation of the ITN mass distribution campaign across the state. The campaign is expected to distribute about 2,875,369 free ITNs across Ogun State to help protect residents from malaria, a disease that continues to pose a significant public health threat in Nigeria.
SFH holds In-School HIV Sensitisation for Adolescents and Young Women
As part of the ongoing efforts of implementing the ‘catch them young’ approach of providing HIV prevention education to adolescent girls and young women, Society for Family Health (SFH) GF NTHRIP project led an outreach to Nana Aishat Memorial College in Ilorin, Kwara State. The event, spearheaded by the IPAYP team, focused on educating the students on making informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health. The session covered critical topics including good hygiene practices, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and mutual support during menstruation. By using comparative outcomes in decision-making, the girls were encouraged to choose healthy behaviours that align with their life goals. The outreach highlighted two key scenarios: one outlining the challenges of lifelong HIV treatment, and the other emphasising the benefits of preventing the virus through informed choices.
The interactive session sparked numerous questions, allowing the girls to deepen their understanding of HIV transmission and prevention methods. Sixteen students who demonstrated exceptional knowledge during the session were appointed as SFH Champions, tasked with promoting HIV awareness and positive health practices within the school. This initiative reflects SFH’s commitment to the ‘catch them young’ approach, ensuring that adolescent girls and young women in Kwara receive vital education on reproductive health and HIV prevention.
SFH Equips Peer Navigators with Paralegal Skills to Enhance HIV Support for Key Populations
Society for Family Health (SFH), under the USAID-funded Key Population Community HIV Services Action and Response (KP Care 2) project, organised a comprehensive Paralegal, Personal Safety, and Security Training at the Grand New Shukra Hotel, Sokoto. The KP Care 2 project, active across eight northern states, aims to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable populations by improving access to high-quality HIV prevention, treatment, and support services. This critical training sought to equip frontline workers, particularly Peer Navigators, with the necessary legal knowledge and personal safety skills to better serve key populations. The training focused on empowering Peer Navigators to function as paralegal officers in their daily interactions with key populations. Participants were introduced to basic legal principles, trained to identify and address legal issues, and learned how to provide immediate legal guidance within their communities.
In addition, a streamlined referral system was developed to ensure that cases requiring litigation or further legal action are appropriately escalated. The importance of accurate record-keeping for paralegal cases was also emphasised to ensure accountability and thorough follow-up on legal matters. Beyond legal training, personal safety and security were central themes of the workshop. Participants were equipped with strategies to protect themselves in potentially risky situations while assisting community members. By addressing both legal and safety concerns, the training prepared Peer Navigators to navigate their roles with greater confidence and security. The workshop was attended by key project staff, CBO programme staff, and a professional lawyer, providing a well-rounded, practical approach to the challenges faced by frontline workers in HIV care and support.
SFH attends Suicide Decriminalisation Conference
Society for Family Health joins the global community in recognising the importance of World Mental Health Day. SFH reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria—an essential step towards improving mental health care for all, particularly the youth. This message was delivered by the Managing Director of Society for Family Health, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, who was represented by Aisha Dadi, Director of Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Programmes.
The Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, was ably represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, at the Suicide Decriminalisation Conference, which was chaired by Senator Dr Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe. She further reiterated that SFH stands ready to support the government in implementing programmes that will improve the quality of life for young people and the wider community. By decriminalising suicide and expanding mental health services, we offer hope instead of punishment and healing instead of harm.
SFH at the Future of Health Conference
SFH will be sponsoring a side event at the Future of Health Conference organised by Nigeria Health Watch. The event will bring together key stakeholders from the health sector to discuss the intersection of climate change and health, offering an opportunity to explore innovative and scalable solutions. Register Here
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