In partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the African Community and Environmental Health Initiative (ACE-Hi) is working to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) outcomes in Misau Local Government of Bauchi State. The project involves community outreach to the 16 wards of the local government to meet with existing groups such as mama2mama members, Ward Development Committee (WDC), OIC, and Community Extension Focal Persons (CEFPs). Through these meetings, the project aims to identify challenges and provide support to strengthen community response to RMNCAH issues at various Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs).
The partnership between ACE-Hi and UNICEF on this project is crucial, as it leverages the strengths of both organizations. ACE-Hi, as a local NGO, has a deep understanding of the community and can work effectively with community groups to identify and address their needs. UNICEF, as a global organization, has extensive technical expertise and can provide valuable guidance on best practices for improving RMNCAH outcomes.
Through this collaboration, the project aims to improve access to quality RMNCAH services, increase demand for these services, and strengthen the capacity of the health system to provide them. The project will achieve these goals through a range of activities, including advocacy for increased funding and accountability, interpersonal communication to raise awareness of RMNCAH issues, community mobilization and demand creation to increase uptake of services, mass media campaigns to reach a wider audience, and strategic data use to inform decision-making.
One key focus of the project is on adolescent and youth health. Adolescents and young people often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing RMNCAH services, including stigma, discrimination, and a lack of information. The project will work to address these challenges by engaging with young people themselves, as well as with parents, caregivers, and other community members, to create a more supportive environment for adolescent and youth health.
Another important aspect of the project is the strengthening of community-based health systems. By working with community groups and PHCs, the project will aim to improve the quality and reach of health services at the community level. This will involve supporting community health workers, promoting community-based health planning and service delivery, and strengthening referral systems to ensure that patients receive the care they need, when they need it.
Overall, the ACE-Hi and UNICEF collaboration on RMNCAH in Misau Local Government of Bauchi State represents an important step towards improving health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents in the region. By working with communities and health systems, the project aims to build a stronger, more responsive, and more equitable health system that can meet the diverse needs of the population.
