News Updates

News and Photo Stories Week 17

SFH IN THE NEWS

Hope and health: Kaduna’s inclusive initiative for women who use drugs

Cable, 19 April 2025

Across the West African country of Nigeria, the intersection of drug use, gender, and health presents a complex public health challenge. With these challenges, arises the need for several initiatives targeted with concise and actionable solutions and the RIHHWUD initiative [Reducing the incidence of HIV and Hepatitis among Women who Use Drugs] in Kaduna State emerges as a pioneering effort to address the unique vulnerabilities of women who use drugs [WUD], aiming to reduce the incidence of HIV and hepatitis among this marginalised group.

The RIHHWUD initiative is a strategic partnership between the Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), the Society for Family Health (SFH), and the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, with the visionary leadership and people-centric governance of His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Uba Sani laying the foundation for its success.
Click here to read more.

SFH ACTIVITIES

Today is World Malaria Day : Key Actions for #WMD2025

As part of the activities to mark the World Malaria Day 2025, we are spotlighting this year’s theme: “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.” 

Here are some key actions needed to accelerate progress as we fight to end malaria. 

The Most Anticipated WMD 2025 Webinar is Today 

As part of our commitment to public health and continuous advocacy, we are pleased to invite you to a virtual webinar in commemoration of World Malaria Day 2025, themed:

“Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite.”
This session will bring together renowned experts to discuss bold strategies, pharmaceutical innovations, and collaborative efforts toward malaria elimination in Nigeria.
🗓️ Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Platform: Microsoft Teams
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/Registerwmd25 
 
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Olafimihan Tomori
Pharm. Osaretin Asowata
Mr. John Ocholi
We encourage all staff to attend and be part of this impactful conversation. Kindly share within your networks as well.
Let’s keep the momentum going as we work toward a malaria-free world.
WMD Webinar

The “Beyond the Lens: How to Avoid Common Photography Errors for Powerful Storytelling” Equips Staff to Capture Impactful Moments

Photography is more than just clicking a button—it’s about telling powerful stories. At the heart of every powerful story is a compelling image and at SFH, staff are learning to capture them with greater confidence and purpose. As part of its Communications Series, SFH hosted a virtual training session titled “Beyond the Lens: How to Avoid Common Photography Errors for Powerful Storytelling” on Thursday, 24th April 2025.
Facilitated by SFH’s Graphic Designer, Mr Isaac Ayodele Kehinde, the session equipped staff with practical skills to enhance the quality of images used for documentation and storytelling. It underscored photography not just as a technical skill, but a vital communication tool that captures impact.
Dr Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director, Strategy, Technical and Growth, noted that the session aimed not just at taking pictures, but at capturing the essence of SFH’s work and the collaboration that drives everything the organisation does. “Photography helps visually document what we do, tell impact stories, and connect with audiences,” she said. She also emphasised the importance of using the right gadgets and capturing authentic moments that reflect SFH’s core values.
Isaac shared valuable insights on the art of photography, offering expert tips on achieving sharp focus, avoiding distractions, cleaning the lens, proper framing, and experimenting with angles. He also stressed the importance of timing, avoiding over-editing, taking multiple shots, and ensuring brand consistency.
Staff engaged actively, exploring techniques and posing thoughtful questions. The session reinforced how effective photography supports communication, improves reporting, and strengthens SFH’s visibility.
More than a technical tutorial, it affirmed that strong visuals help amplify SFH’s mission and elevate the experiences of communities served. Through such initiatives, the Communications Team continues to build capacity and foster creativity, ensuring every picture tells a story worth sharing.
Click here for RECAP

Strengthening Community Health Services: IntegratE Project Hosts Quarterly Review Meeting in Nasarawa State

The IntegratE Project in Nasarawa State, with support from key stakeholders, recently held its quarterly review meeting for trained Community Pharmacists and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors across the Karu, Keffi, Lafia, Nasarawa, Obi, Keana, and Doma Local Government Areas (LGAs). The meeting aimed to foster collaborative discussions to enhance strategies and processes for improved service delivery within communities.

Dr Toyin Akamolafe, the Project Senior Advisor for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, along with representatives from the State Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, supported the session.
In his welcome remarks, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharm. Christopher Ishaleku, emphasised the importance of vendor participation in activities such as the quarterly review meetings, which are vital for improving the quality of community-based services. Other stakeholders, in their goodwill messages, encouraged participants to view the project as an avenue to strengthen their relevance in both the healthcare sector and the wider society.
During the meeting, the Reproductive Health/Family Planning (RH/FP) Coordinator, Mrs Salome Vincent Aya, and the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) Desk Officer, Hajiya Ruqayyah Adamu, jointly addressed key technical service delivery issues identified during data presentations and the Integrated Supportive Supervision Visit (ISSV).
Several challenges raised by the providers, which hinder their ability to deliver quality healthcare services, were addressed by the State Technical Advisor, Mr ⁠Emmanuel Odiniya.
The team also used the opportunity of the quarterly review meeting to conduct data validation, reporting, and the uploading of Quarter 1 (January–March 2024) and backlog reports.

SFH Expands HIV Services to Underserved Asa LGA, Bringing Lifesaving Relief to PLHIV

Asa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, known for its rural agrarian settlements and strategic junction towns, has long been underserved in HIV intervention efforts. Despite its role as a transit hub for long-distance drivers and a hotspot for sex work, Asa had seen no structural HIV support for over two decades. Without a donor-supported health facility, people living with HIV (PLHIV) were forced to travel to neighbouring LGAs to access treatment—an option often hindered by poor road conditions and high transport costs, leading to frequent treatment interruptions.
In 2023, Bi-elesin axis in Owode-Gbogun ward recorded a concerning spike in HIV cases, prompting urgent intervention. Following the launch of the Global Fund-supported Nigeria TB-HIV Reach Impact Project (N-THRIP) in Kwara State in July 2024, Society for Family Health (SFH) conducted a targeted outreach to Bi-elesin in September in collaboration with the Kwara State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA). The aim was to return those who had interrupted treatment to care.
Within five days, 461 people were tested, with a 4.6% positivity yield—half of which were paediatric cases. Since then, SFH has intensified efforts to bring care closer to the community. Over 230 individuals from Bi-elesin are now on antiretroviral treatment. Additional TB/HIV outreach activities were carried out across the axis from 28th to 30th March 2025, leading to the identification of more HIV-positive cases.
To ensure continuity of care, SFH conducted house-to-house ARV refill visits on the 17th and 22nd of April 2025, reaching over 80 clients. Crucially, ART services are now being decentralised from Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin-West to Aisha Buhari Maternal and Child Hospital in Asa LGA, improving access for PLHIV in the region.
Earlier efforts to pave the way for this intervention was the visit to Bi-elesin by SFH’s State Team Lead, Dr. Omede Owen; Chairman of the Kwara State House Committee on Health, Hon. Abdulrazaq Owolabi; and Executive Secretary of KWASACA, Dr. Alabi Seleem.

Weekly Quotes/Nuggets

Important updates to catch up with 

Breaking Barriers: How the GFMalaria Project is Transforming Maternal Health in Kano State.

Once sceptical of Antenatal Care (ANC), Hajara Muhammadu, a small-scale businesswoman and mother-in-law, tragically lost a daughter-in-law to malaria-induced anaemia and eclampsia. Today, she is an ambassador for maternal health in Sarbi Kudu, as her loss became a turning point for the entire community.

Read how one woman’s journey with the GFMalaria Project is saving lives in Kano State.
Click here to read more.

Have you read our 2024 Annual Report? 

Our 2024 Annual Report showcases our commitment to delivering quality healthcare and transforming lives across communities. To explore our impact, key achievements, and to learn more about how we are breaking barriers to ensure health for all. 

Read the full report here. 

  • Introducing SFH Access Logistics – Your Partner for Seamless Delivery Across Nigeria

    We are excited to announce the latest expansion of the SFH Access portfolio, SFH Access Logistics. SFH Access Logistics is your trusted partner committed to delivering reliable, cost-effective, and timely logistics solutions across Nigeria. Our services include:

  • – Bulk haulage of commodities and assets nationwide.
  • – Last-Mile deliveries of essential health commodities, ensuring timely access where it’s needed most.
  • – Transport and delivery of laboratory samples, ensuring safety and efficiency in handling sensitive materials.

     Reach us: +2348155540008, logistics@sfhaccess.org

    SFH Access Logistics, Your Dreams. Delivered.

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