Better Nutrition for the Nigerian Child Via ADHFP

Background

Nigeria, diverse and populous, struggles with improving child well-being, especially in remote areas, with children marked by inadequate nutrition and healthcare access. Malnutrition affects 1 in 3 children in developing countries like Nigeria. According to data from UNICEF, as of 2020, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria, a significant portion of whom are from remote communities grappling with high rates of child malnutrition. Sadly, approximately 2.5 million children in the country are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition, underscoring the urgent need for intervention and support in these areas.

Objectives Being Addressed

PHC-based Nutritional Support (The ADHFP-Strategy): Through the "Adopt A Healthcare Facility Programme" (ADHFP), Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) adopts and upgrades healthcare facilities within communities, ensuring children receive essential medical and nutritional care. The programme also builds the capacity of healthcare workers and mothers/caregivers by providing nutritional education and counseling, enabling them to identify signs of nutritional deficiencies and address them effectively.

Summary of Activities

The Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP) has been pivotal in advancing the “Better Nutrition for the Nigerian Child” project by revitalizing primary healthcare facilities across various 36 states in Nigeria. Through this initiative, we have delivered essential healthcare services, built the capacity of healthcare workers, and equipped caregivers with nutritional education to identify critical warning signs, ensuring improved nutrition and well-being for children.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitoring & Evaluation Processes in place for monthly report collation, validation, and transmission.
• On-ground ad-hoc staff as a key step in strengthening the workforce across different communities and states.

Long-Term Impact

The implementation of the Adopt-a-Healthcare Facility Programme by the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) is expected to yield profound and sustainable long-term effects:

1. Improved child well-being: Support in remote communities improves well-being and reduces child mortality rates.
2. Empowered communities: The programme fosters community self-reliance, ownership, and development.
3. Reduction in inequalities: PSHAN's focus on remote communities will reduce healthcare disparities and promote equity and inclusivity.
4. Economic growth: Healthy children are more likely to become productive members of society, contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria in the long run.

Conclusion

With more funding from donations, children in Nigeria will have access to basic healthcare and better nutrition. We aim to enhance infant and young child feeding initiatives by providing essential micronutrient supplementation, including deworming, Vitamin A, and Iron supplementation, through widespread community campaigns. By prioritising these interventions, we aim to promote healthier lifestyles and mitigate the prevalence of common ailments such as colds, catarrh, malaria, diarrhoea, and vomiting among children.

Links:

• https://pshan.org/
• Learn more about ADHFP
• Donate to the cause!

• Better_Nutrition_for_the_Nigerian_Child_Via_ADHFP__Project_Report_November_2024.pdf (PDF)