News Updates

News and Photo Stories Week 9

SFH IN THE NEWS

Njide Ndili assumes presidency of HFN as Federation marks 10th anniversary

TheSun, 27 Feb 2025

Following a closely contested election during the AGM on February 27, 2025, a new leadership team has emerged to steer the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) organization forward. Mrs Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess, will serve as President, working alongside Dr Benson Ayodele Cole, Chairman of Echolab Radiology and Laboratory Services, as First Vice President; Dr Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director of the Society for Family Health (SFH), as Second Vice President; Mrs Chinyere Okorocha, Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu, as Public Relations Secretary; Mr Reagan Rowland, CEO of OneClick-Med, as Treasurer; and Mr Babarinde Oloyede, Healthcare System Partner-Policy at Roche Products Ltd., as Financial Secretary.

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Water Quality Fundamental to National Development—Minister 

TheSun, 26 Feb 2025

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joesph Utsev said that water quality is a fundamental determinant of public health, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability of the country.

Professor Utsev stated this at the 2025 annual water quality conference in Abuja highlighted the importance of improved and safe water to the development of Nigeria.

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FCCPC Engages Industry Players on Rising Drug Prices

PremiumTimes, 26 Feb 2025

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated discussions with key players in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors to address the soaring cost of medications in Nigeria. The move comes amid growing consumer complaints over sharp price variations and affordability concerns.

The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, represented by the Director of Surveillance and Investigations, Boladale Adeyinka, chaired the meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Osaretin Asowata from the Society for Family Health (SFH) called for stronger policies to enhance healthcare delivery.

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SFH ACTIVITIES

 President, Lagos State Governor Reaffirms Commitment to Malaria Elimination Efforts

Society for Family Health (SFH) was honoured to be hosted by the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Marina, for a courtesy visit focused on advancing healthcare initiatives in the state. During the meeting, key stakeholders, including representatives from the World Bank, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), and Maisha Med, engaged in discussions on the World Bank/Lagos State-funded Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project. The discussions highlighted the critical need for a sustained push towards malaria pre-elimination in Lagos, reinforcing the state’s commitment to eradicating the disease.

SFH management commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his leadership and dedication to strengthening healthcare systems, noting that his commitment to leading the fight against malaria is a significant step towards achieving pre-elimination status. The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on SFH’s four decades of impactful partnership in Nigeria. As part of the engagement, SFH presented Intentionality, a book chronicling our 40-year journey in driving health interventions and fostering sustainable change across the country.
Collaboration between SFH, sub-national governments, and global partners continues to be instrumental in improving healthcare access and transforming communities. The partnership with the Lagos State Government has been pivotal in expanding malaria prevention efforts and immunisation coverage, ensuring that more individuals, particularly in vulnerable communities, receive life-saving healthcare services. As SFH looks ahead, it remains committed to working alongside the state and its partners to drive further progress in public health and community well-being.

SFH Leadership Champions Innovative Healthcare Financing at HFN Conference

The Managing Director of Society for Family Health (SFH), Dr Omokhudu Idogho, joined distinguished industry leaders at the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Annual Conference 2025, themed “Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare: Transforming Nigeria through Innovation, Partnership, and Sustainability.” Speaking on the panel discussion, “Solving the Financial Dilemma: Adapting to Change,” Dr Idogho emphasised the urgent need to institutionalise domestic health financing as a long-term, integrated solution for strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. He highlighted SFH’s commitment to innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms that ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services.

The conference, which marks HFN’s 10th anniversary, brought together policymakers, industry experts, and healthcare professionals to explore strategies for improving healthcare access across Nigeria. Alongside Dr Idogho, SFH Deputy Managing Director for Strategy, Technical and Growth, Dr Jennifer Anyanti who emerged 2nd vice president of HFN, and SFH ACCESS Pharm Managing Director, Dennis Aizobu, also participated in discussions at the conference. Aizobu spotlighted AccessCare, SFH ACCESS’s new telemedicine platform designed to connect patients with healthcare providers remotely, reducing strain on physical facilities and extending quality healthcare services to underserved communities.
SFH leaders reiterated their commitment to driving healthcare transformation through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. With initiatives like AccessCare and a focus on domestic health financing, SFH continues to pioneer solutions that improve health outcomes for Nigerians. As the conference concludes on 28 February 2025, SFH remains dedicated to fostering strategic partnerships and advancing digital health solutions that align with the evolving healthcare landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

SFH & Lagos State Inaugurate Grievance Redress Mechanism Committee to Strengthen Malaria Control Under IMPACT Project

In a significant move to enhance malaria prevention and treatment, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH), inaugurated the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Committee under the IMPACT Project. The event took place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Conference Hall, Lagos State with key stakeholders in attendance. Supported by a World Bank loan, the initiative aims to improve malaria control services, ensure seamless commodity distribution, and foster transparency in healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the event, Dr Bimbo Oshinowo, the SMEP Manager and Project Director, emphasised that malaria remains a treatable disease, yet preventable deaths persist. “We want to ensure that everyone is carried along, which is why stakeholders were carefully selected. Malaria prevention starts at home, and even our children play a role in educating us based on what they learn in school,” she stated. She further noted that with the IMPACT Project’s support, key interventions such as training for health workers, ensuring pregnant women receive three doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP), and expanding testing and treatment for children and expectant mothers will be prioritised.
Delivering the inaugural speech, Dr Modinat Akiolu, Malaria Programme Manager for Disease Control, congratulated the committee members and highlighted their responsibilities in addressing community concerns. The GRM Committee will operate through multiple complaint channels, including suggestion boxes at health facilities, a toll-free number (08000000734), and physical walk-ins. “This is a team effort involving key stakeholders such as Roll Back Malaria, persons with disabilities, and Mothers Against Malaria. The committee members’ patience and collaboration are essential for the mechanism’s success,” Dr Akiolu noted.
Dr Stanley Ugah, SFH Project Director, reaffirmed SFH’s commitment to strengthening health systems for malaria elimination. “In the last month, we have trained over 600 health facility staff on malaria case management, grievance redress, monitoring and evaluation, and malaria commodity management. We have also procured and supplied antimalarial drugs, test kits, and other essential commodities to over 270 health facilities, eliminating stockouts. The establishment and inauguration of the Local Government Grievance Redress Committee marks another milestone in ensuring community engagement and accountability in malaria control,” he stated.
The GRM Committee will play a critical role in resolving disputes, building trust with project beneficiaries, and ensuring healthcare services reach the intended populations. As part of their mandate, committee members will provide community awareness on the IMPACT Project, attend quarterly review meetings, and ensure that malaria-related medical commodities are available and distributed appropriately. Key community figures, including women leaders, youth representatives, and religious leaders, will serve as focal points in handling complaints and raising awareness within churches, mosques, markets, and health facilities.
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SFH Attends Annual Water Quality Conference 2025

Society for Family Health (SFH) joined the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside key partners and stakeholders, at the inaugural Annual Water Quality Conference 2025, with the theme: Safe Water for Sustainable Public Health. The conference, which held at the Exclusive Serene Hotel in Abuja, brought together stakeholders including WaterAid, UNICEF, SFH, OPSWASH, and Nestlé, as well as policymakers and advocates, all committed to ensuring access to safe and quality water in Nigeria.

In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasised the critical role of safe water in public health and the urgent need for this conference. He highlighted that approximately 25% of Nigeria’s population relies on untreated and surface-level water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. He further reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to improving water quality, ending open defecation, and achieving both national and global water and sanitation goals. 
During SFH goodwill message, Pharm. Osaretin Asowata congratulated the ministry and its partners on this timely initiative. He highlighted SFH over-40-year commitment to improving public health through interventions in Maternal and Child Health, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). He added that through SFH Access and the WASH 4 Healthy Lives project, SFH has continued to enhance sanitation and safe water access, particularly in vulnerable communities. 
SFH also showcased its game-changing and innovative water solutions at the conference exhibition, demonstrating its ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s water challenges. Through SFH Access, SFH produces, imports, and distributes vital, effective, affordable, and family-friendly water treatment solutions for household use. These solutions treat water from various sources, such as boreholes, rain, and open streams or ponds, ensuring that it is safe for drinking and general household purposes.
Visit: https://www.sfhaccess.com/ to know more about our water products.

SFH Demonstrates Leadership in the Fight Against Malaria with Commencement of Integrated ITN and SMC Microplanning in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina

In a continued effort to combat malaria in Nigeria, Society for Family Health (SFH) has commenced an integrated Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) microplanning across Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina States. This initiative reinforces SFH’s leadership and technical expertise in malaria control, ensuring that effective interventions reach the most vulnerable populations.

The microplanning commenced with entry meetings held on February 26, 2025, at the State Ministries of Health in all three states. These meetings involved, the State Commissioners for Health, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Public Health, Programme Managers, and key stakeholders. The discussions provided an opportunity to align strategies, secure government commitment, and foster collaboration for a seamless campaign rollout. Entry meetings play a crucial role in ensuring state ownership, improving coordination, and addressing potential challenges ahead of implementation.
The integrated ITN and SMC campaign is a strategic approach that enhances efficiency and maximises impact. ITNs serve as a preventive barrier against mosquito bites, while SMC provides life-saving malaria prevention medication for children under five. By combining both interventions, SFH is optimising resources, reducing logistical complexities, and expanding coverage to more communities.
A key aspect of this campaign is microplanning, and it will be carried out from the 26th of February to 10th March 2025, which ensures data-driven decision-making and the efficient allocation of resources. Microplanning involves mapping out distribution areas, identifying target populations, and scheduling activities to guarantee smooth operations. This level of detail enhances accountability, minimises wastage, and ensures that every eligible individual receives the necessary malaria prevention. 
Through this initiative, SFH reaffirms its commitment to working closely with state governments, health workers, and communities to reduce malaria cases and improve public health outcomes. By integrating interventions, fostering collaboration, and prioritising meticulous planning, SFH is setting a new standard for malaria elimination efforts in Nigeria. This campaign is not just about distributing nets or administering medicines—it is about saving lives and moving closer to a malaria-free Nigeria.
Innovative Adaptive Management: PACS Storms Kaduna State
Access to quality commodity incentives of PACS projects seeks to democratise the availability of health commodities from accredited suppliers to enhance supply chain efficiency and improve the quantity and quality of services to target consumers. The use of digital enablers ensures transparent sourcing, timely delivery, trust, and eliminates loss of revenue to community providers. Adopting digital solutions and accessing quality commodities on any of the choice platforms has presented the challenge of digital literacy.
The number of providers with low digital literacy is relatively higher in Kaduna State, accounting for about 30% of the providers linked to supply aggregators in the state. This group of providers required competence to enable proficiency and confidence in the use of the application. With more than 75% of the time spent per life of the project, there was a need for continuous innovation in the mode of engagement of the providers for status change.
PACS Special Event tagged Storming Kaduna state presented a practical solution to move providers from linkage to stages of adoption and access to quality commodities. Storming involved mobilising all personnel and resources of the project from the implementing states to support activity in one state. In this instance, PACS organised a 6-day Storming activity in Kaduna state, designed to concentrate group efforts in a small space for rapid solutions and results. All project staff converged in Kaduna State; relevant local government areas with the least adoption of the digital solution were selected and subdivided into small clusters for ease of proximity to the facilities of providers. Support was tailored to the needs of the providers, ranging from username and password issues, app navigation challenges, enabler specifications, poor liquidity for purchases, and an outright decline to participate in the incentive. Through this targeted engagement and hands-on demonstrations, providers were guided on navigating digital tools, tracking inventory trends, and optimising stock levels to prevent commodity stockouts and wastage.
The storming activity was mutually beneficial, ensuring quick wins. It provided an opportunity for peer learning among the project team regarding navigating and mastery of the features of the digital applications. It enhanced trust and confidence among providers who could not operate the solution independently prior to the visit of the team. There was a better appreciation of the solution by most providers, resulting in stock order placement. The Storming activity successfully onboarded 40 patent and proprietary medicine vendors, with more than 90% making purchases for the first time. This effort aligns with our strategic direction as an organisation to develop an efficient and sustainable supply chain for healthcare products and leverage technology and data to optimise processes and health initiatives.
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