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SFH IN THE NEWS

Sanwo-Olu launches Pathway to Malaria pre-elimination, digitization programme in Lagos

Tribune, 5 Mar 2025

The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, unveiled a digital offensive against malaria for the prevention of the disease. The initiative themed, “Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitisation Program in Lagos State,” was launched by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako…
The Managing Director of the Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr Omokhudu Idogho, echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the need for sustained interventions in malaria prevention, treatment, and community sensitisation. He pointed out that leveraging digital technology for case tracking and surveillance will be crucial in accelerating progress towards malaria elimination.

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Sanwo-Olu launches Pathway to Malaria pre-elimination, digitization programme in Lagos

PMNews, 4 Mar 2025

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating malaria as he launched the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination and Digitization Programme.

The initiative, which was unveiled at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, aims to leverage technology and collaboration to tackle the disease, which remains a major health and economic burden in Nigeria…
The Managing Director of the Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr. Omokhudu Idogho echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for sustained interventions in malaria prevention, treatment, and community sensitization.

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Gov.-Sanwo-Olu

SFH ACTIVITIES

 SFH joins Lagos State and Key Stakeholders to unveil Digital Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination.

Lagos State has taken a decisive step towards malaria pre-elimination with the launch of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitisation Programme, held on 4th March 2025 at Eko Hotel. The initiative, funded by the IMPACT Project, with chief host as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Pate, as the Special Guest of Honour. Bringing together key stakeholders, including the World Bank, WHO, NMEP, Maisha Meds, the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and Society for Family Health (SFH), the event underscored Lagos State’s commitment to strengthening malaria case management, digitising healthcare interventions, and enhancing public-private sector collaboration. The Honourable Commissioner for Health highlighted the state’s progress, noting that smart policies and improved healthcare practices are significantly reducing malaria cases—one test and one treatment at a time.

A key highlight of the event was the formal commitment of stakeholders to drive the implementation of digital health solutions, such as AI-powered diagnostic tools and real-time surveillance, to enhance decision-making and intervention efficiency. The initiative aims to strengthen malaria service delivery, particularly in vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children under five. Through performance-based contracting, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with its partners, will provide essential malaria commodities, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), antimalarial medicines, and rapid diagnostic test kits (mRDTs). 
Dr Omokhudu Idogho, Managing Director of SFH, reaffirmed SFH’s role in implementing malaria interventions in Lagos under the World Bank-supported initiative, emphasing the organisation’s dedication to improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing over-prescription of antibiotics, and promoting behaviour change in private sector healthcare delivery.
The launch event also marked a critical milestone in integrating digital health solutions into Lagos State’s broader healthcare framework. Stakeholders outlined key objectives, including the development of a white paper to document strategic recommendations, securing agreements for project execution, and establishing sustainable follow-up mechanisms to ensure long-term impact. With malaria test positivity rates already declining in both public and private healthcare facilities, Lagos State is well-positioned to become Nigeria’s first malaria-free state. By leveraging innovative technology, strengthening regulatory compliance through Health Facility Monitoring & Accreditation (HEFAMAA), and enhancing immunisation and preventive treatment strategies, the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination & Digitisation Program sets a precedent for malaria control efforts across Nigeria.

A360 Digital Adaptation to Transform Lives of Married Adolescent Girls: Partners Unite for Groundbreaking Research Project 

In a significant step to improve the sexual and reproductive health of married adolescent girls in Nigeria, Society for Family Health (SFH) and its partners have launched the A360 Digital Implementation Research Project. The initiative, unveiled during a two-day kickoff meeting, aims to harness digital solutions to enhance access to vital health information and services. Led by Population Services International (PSI), the project brings together key organisations, including SFH, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Nigeria, Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), VIAMO, and Haruna & Usie Consulting Ltd, each contributing specialised expertise to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach.

Building on the successful Married Adolescents Model (MMA), the project focuses on mobilising young girls, engaging them in aspirational discussions, providing contraceptive counselling, and ensuring follow-up support. A rigorous research framework, spearheaded by IPA Nigeria, will assess digital access, literacy, affordability, and safety concerns through focus group discussions and interactive methods. The initiative also incorporates a gender-sensitive approach, addressing power dynamics and safeguarding measures to ensure the well-being and agency of participants. Experts, including PSI Senior Programme Manager Meghan Cutherell and Gender Consultant Hadiza Haruna, emphasised the importance of creating safe digital pathways that empower girls while mitigating risks.
As the project moves forward, partners have set clear priorities, including strengthening government and community involvement, refining tracking indicators, and enhancing sustainability strategies. By leveraging digital tools and human-centred design, the initiative aims to equip married adolescent girls with knowledge and resources that will not only improve their health but also create lasting social change. The A360 Digital Implementation Research Project stands as a pioneering model of how strategic partnerships and evidence-based interventions can drive meaningful progress in adolescent health.

 SFH partners with FMoH to validate and finalise the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) data tools in Abuja.

Towards improving the National Health data systems, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with support from Society for Family Health (SFH), held a 3-day meeting to validate and finalise the National Health Information Management System (NHMIS) tools. Other stakeholders who participated included PLAN International, JSI, MSI, HISP, IHVN, Palladium, CHAI, UNFPA, UNICEF, NPHCDA and representatives from State Ministries of Health and Primary Healthcare Agencies/Boards, among others.  

SFH contributed significantly to the validation process by leveraging evidence-based data and institutional experience, ensuring the modification and inclusion of valuable national health data elements across the various tools, such as General Attendance, Out-patient, Family Planning, Antenatal Care, Gender-Based Violence, Child Immunisation registers, etc., and the monthly summary form (MSF). 
Key updates included the incorporation of WASH and Nutrition Micronutrient Management System (MMS), recategorised and updated data elements including age groups, parity, and blood measurement in the ANC register, Labor and Delivery registers, reviewed data elements for Eye health and Pneumonia in the OPD register, inclusion of additional vital statistics, and expansion of data elements for DMPA-SC and Implants in the FP register, including self-care tracking. The monthly summary form was also updated to include DMPA-SC take-home doses and reporting of referrals from PPMV, CPs and community-based agents.
Post-validation activities include the pilot of the revised tools in the six geopolitical zones, updating the national indicator dictionary, training of national TOT and cascade training, and creation of the NHMIS repository.
The validation meeting had in attendance SFH representatives: Fidelis P. Edet, Business & Strategic Information Manager, DISC; Christopher A. Isah, M&E Advisor, A360 Project; and Moses James, MERL/DHIS Specialist.

SFH Strengthens HIV Response in Kwara with 2025 Strategic Review Meeting

Society for Family Health (SFH), as a Sub-Recipient (SR) to the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), hosted the 2025 Strategic Review Meeting for the Global Fund GC7 HIV project in Kwara State. The four-day engagement from March 4–7, 2025 provided a platform to assess programme progress, address challenges, and refine strategies to enhance HIV prevention, treatment, and support services for both general and key populations in Kwara State.

The meeting, themed “Leveraging Innovations & Tech-Solutions to Advance our Impact & Strengthening Sustainability: Driving towards HIV Epidemic Control,” included an opening session with a keynote address by Dr Charles Odima, Project Director of the GC7 N-THRIP project. Goodwill messages were taken from Dr Saleem Alabi, Executive Secretary of KWASACA and SASCP Kwara. Discussions focused on programmatic performance, financial transparency, compliance, communications and monitoring & evaluation. Representatives from community-based organisations (CBOs) such as OCDI, RHHF, GLOHWOC, and HFDI shared valuable insights on their contribution in expanding HIV testing services, optimising data collection tools, and strengthening outreach efforts.
Key outcomes of the meeting included commitments to strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance HIV testing and outreach efforts, and provide additional mentorship for healthcare workers. A clear workplan on conveying challenges with justification was developed as SFH reaffirmed its dedication to achieving the 95-95-95 targets in Kwara, ensuring continued progress in the fight against HIV. The insights gained from this review will guide improvements in implementation strategies, reinforcing SFH’s commitment to epidemic control in Nigeria.
SFH joined other partners to provide Technical Assistance to Kaduna State for the Development of 5-Year Human Resources for Health Strategic Plan
To address the myriad of challenges confronting Human Resources for Health in Nigeria and Kaduna state, the state government with support from development partners developed a comprehensive Human Resource for Health Policy which was approved by the Executive Governor in August 2024. To support the operationalisation of the policy, the state Ministry of Health convened a stakeholders workshop in Kano to develop a comprehensive 5-year costed Human Resource for Health strategic plan. The 5-day workshop (19th – 23rd February 2025) led by Dr Hajara Niima Kera was attended by the Hon. Commissioner of Health, Permanent Secretary, Executive Secretary SPHCDA, Directors and Programme Managers from Health Sector MDAs, Representatives from State House of Assembly, Office of the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Office of the Head of Service, Civil Service Commission, Planning and Budget Commission, State Health Training Institutions, Professional associations including NMA, NANNM and PSN, Academia, CSOs, and Ward Development Committee. The representatives of various development partners including WHO, FCDO-Lafiya, HSDF, SFH, CHAI and Pathfinder, actively participated in the workshop and provided technical support throughout the entire workshop. SFH was represented at the workshop by the Assistant Chief, Policy, Advocacy, and Governmental Engagement (AC-PAGE) Officer, Dayyabu Yusuf.
The costed strategic plan is designed to address the very high health workers attrition, inequity in distribution, and inadequate motivation to enable retention, especially in rural areas where mortality is inequitably high. Other issues include salary disparity, block retirement, recruitment challenges, absorption and transition challenges, etc. The Strategic Plan also included initiatives to optimise the health workforce, such as brain circulation between the Federal Government teaching hospitals, private facilities, and government-owned general hospitals and PHCs, increasing the age of retirement, strengthening Task shifting and Task sharing and innovative Public-Private partnerships.
The Honourable Commissioner of Health, Dr Umma K. Ahmed, expressed hope that the plan will provide strong policy direction and serve as a reference for the upcoming Kaduna State Executive Council Meeting. In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Aisha Abubakar Sadiq, thanked all participants for their exceptional commitment and engaging discussions, which helped in proposing practical solutions to address contemporary human resource challenges in Kaduna State.
Breaking Barriers: How Ramlat and Aisha Transformed Small Grants into Thriving Enterprises
In the rural communities of Yandutse and Walawa in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria, a quiet economic revolution is taking place led by young women who once had limited options. Ramlat Abdulhameed (19) and Aisha Isah (18) exemplify how targeted support can unlock extraordinary potential in married adolescent girls who face systemic barriers to economic independence. 
When we first met Ramlat, she was selling rice by the cupful, operating at the margins of subsistence. Her contemporary, Aisha, harboured dreams of becoming a professional tailor but lacked both equipment and capital. Like thousands of young married women across northern Nigeria, their aspirations were constrained not by ability, but by opportunity. “I knew I could do more, but I didn’t have the means to grow,” recalls Ramlat, whose determination remained undiminished despite her circumstances.
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In case you missed this groundbreaking moment! 

Last year, we launched the SFH Innovation Hub—a space dedicated to transforming health solutions through research, technology, and partnerships. Relive the highlights and join us as we continue shaping the future of public health!

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