By Muhammad Mutual Ibrahim, Grace into James, Gloria shagayia, Fatima B. Muhammad, Abu Oshioke, Omileha Odey

In the humble settlement of Lungu, nestled within Soba ward of Soba Local Government Area, resides Aishat Kabiru, a married adolescent girl cherishing the gift of a healthy baby girl. Little did she know that her encounter with an IPCA (Interpersonal Communication Agent) during the house-to-house delivery of Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BPNS) would forever change her perspective. 

Initially, Aishat was sceptical when the IPCA approached her with offers of counselling and other services. She felt no need for the assistance being offered and was hesitant to invest her time in what she perceived as a time-wasting endeavour. Her previous experiences with receiving tablets during pregnancies at the ANC clinic had left her disillusioned, as she never found a use for them and discarded them, untouched, in a forgotten drawer. 

However, this time, the IPCA employed a different approach. Armed with a captivating pictorial flip chart, they patiently counselled Aishat, ensuring she understood the invaluable benefits of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (IFA). Intrigued, Aishat agreed to try it. She took the Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) tablets as directly observed therapy (DOTS) and received a supply of IFA tablets, which she dutifully began taking. 

Weeks later, a remarkable transformation unfolded before Aishat’s eyes. The nagging headaches, fever, and dizziness that had plagued her previous pregnancies were noticeably absent. She felt stronger and more resilient than ever before, empowering her to embrace the journey of motherhood with newfound vigour. Aishat’s conviction in the power of IFA tablets grew, prompting her to continue taking them even after delivery, recognizing the long-term benefits they offered. 

Filled with gratitude, Aishat expressed her heartfelt appreciation to SFH-ANRiN and its partners for bringing such extraordinary services to her doorstep. She recognized the invaluable impact of these interventions, realizing that many mothers in her community could not afford to purchase such vital medications. Aishat fervently wished that every pregnant mother would have equal access to these life-enhancing drugs, ensuring their health and well-being. 

Aishat, a pregnant Adolescent’s remarkable journey from doubt to strength stands as a testament to the transformative potential of SFH-ANRiN’s pioneering services. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging other mothers to embrace the opportunities presented to them and discover the profound impact that simple interventions can have on their lives and the lives of their precious children. 

Through Aishat’s experience, the ripple effect of change is ignited, spreading throughout Lungu settlement and beyond. The power of knowledge, understanding, and access to vital resources continues to touch the lives of countless women, creating a community that thrives on shared support, empowerment, and the collective dream of healthier, happier futures for all mothers and their children.