SFH Nigeria Website 
Breaking Barriers: How the GFMalaria Project is Transforming Maternal Health in Kano State.
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By Amira Abdullah Rahi, Gbue Denen Daniel and John Ocholi
In a village called Sarbi Kudu, in Minjibir LGA, Kano State, a powerful transformation took place. One that saved lives and reshaped community attitudes toward maternal healthcare. At the centre of this story is Hajara Muhammadu, a small-scale businesswoman and mother-in-law, who once resisted the idea of her daughters-in-law attending Antenatal Care (ANC) at the Sarbi Health Post. Her refusal was deeply rooted in tradition and scepticism.
A year ago, tragedy struck her family when one of her daughters-in-law faced complications during labour due to malaria-induced anaemia and eclampsia because of denied access to ANC and preventive malaria treatment. She was rushed from Minjibir General Hospital to Sanusi Specialist Hospital in Kano municipal centre, but it was too late; she could not be saved. The devastating loss reinforced Hajara’s belief that childbirth was purely a matter of fate, beyond the influence of modern healthcare interventions.
However, change arrived at Gidan Abdullahi Muhammadu in the form of Summayya Mubarak, an Interpersonal Communication (IPC) Conductor with Society for Family Health Global Fund Malaria Programme. Summayya, with patience and compassion, engaged Hajara in multiple health talks and mobilisation sessions, breaking down myths surrounding ANC and malaria prevention.
Through careful counselling, she helped Hajara understand that malaria in pregnancy is preventable and that early ANC attendance, Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), and skilled birth care could save lives.
Hajara had a change of heart. Moved by Summayya’s words and the painful memory of losing a daughter-in-law, she took a bold step—she enrolled her two pregnant daughters-in-law, Nana Saluba Tasiu and Aisha Shafiu, for ANC at Sarbi Health Post. More than that, she accompanied them to every visit, ensuring they received malaria preventive treatment, regular check-ups, and counselling on safe pregnancy practices.
Months later, Hajara was blessed with two healthy grandchildren. The experience turned her into a community advocate, spreading the message about the importance of ANC and malaria prevention. Today, she is an ambassador for maternal health in Sarbi, encouraging other women to seek medical care and ensuring no family in her village experiences the loss she once did. The ripple effect of this transformation is undeniable. ANC attendance at Sarbi Health Post has significantly increased by 50%, with many women following in Hajara’s footsteps. The Ward Development Committee (WDC) of Sarbi recognises and applauds the efforts of IPC conductors, affirming that malaria prevention messages have become a community anthem.
For Summayya Mubarak, this is just the beginning. Inspired by the success of Sarbi Kudu, she is committed to saving more women in neighbouring villages, ensuring they do not suffer preventable deaths due to malaria and lack of ANC. Her journey as a dedicated community health volunteer continues, proving that one conversation, one intervention, and one woman’s transformation can ignite lasting change. The fight against maternal mortality and malaria is far from over, but stories like Hajara’s are a testament to the power of grassroots mobilisation, interpersonal communication, and community-driven advocacy in saving lives and securing healthier futures for generations to come.
