On
3rd November 2023 one-day stakeholders, meeting on social mobilization was held
at FCT PHCB Conference Hall Abuja. The meeting aimed to sensitize Social
Mobilization Committee (SMC) members about the upcoming Outbreak Response (OBR)
scheduled from 11th to 15th November. In a recent meeting led by the Director
of Primary Health Care, stakeholders gathered to discuss and plan the upcoming
Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and Outbreak Response (OBR)
scheduled from 11th to 15th November.
Meeting Objectives:
The
primary objectives were clear – sensitize SMC members on the impending OBR,
identify roles and responsibilities during MNCHW, and secure commitment for
effective collaboration.
Social
Mobilization Activities:
Participants
highlighted the importance of social mobilization, especially in ongoing
campaigns such as the Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) initiative in Adamawa.
Planned activities included leveraging social media for malaria discussions and
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) supervision.
Stages
of MNCHW:
A
well-defined roadmap for MNCHW implementation was presented, spanning
pre-implementation activities like advocacy and resource mobilization, the
implementation phase involving social mobilization and monitoring, and finally,
post-implementation steps such as data analysis and evaluation.
Implementation
Strategies:
The
strategy involved deploying fixed posts, house-to-house teams, and special
teams. Additionally, a call to action was made to combat a Polio outbreak,
emphasizing disseminating accurate information, preventing
misinformation, and seeking political support.
Roles
of SMC in MNCHW:
SMC
members were entrusted with pivotal roles, including community advocacy,
endorsement of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and
dissemination of key messages during public events in challenging areas.
Challenges:
Despite
the meticulous planning, challenges such as recurrent insecurity in certain
Local Government Areas (LGAs), fuel subsidy removal affecting transportation,
and ongoing strikes impacting productivity were acknowledged.
Partners’
Updates:
Several
partners, including the National Orientation Agency, Christian Association of
Nigeria, Silver Lining For the Needy Initiative (SLNI), and NTA, pledged
support through mobilization, awareness creation, and media dissemination.
Upcoming
Services for MNCHW and OBR:
A
diverse range of services were outlined, including health education, Oral
Rehydration Therapy (ORT), nutritional assessment, immunization, de-worming,
vitamin A supplementation, Antenatal Care (ANC), HIV counseling, birth
registration, and malaria testing and treatment.
In conclusion, the meeting set the stage for a collaborative and well-coordinated effort to address maternal, newborn, and child health challenges. The comprehensive approach, coupled with active involvement from various partners, reflects a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in the community. As the scheduled events unfold, the focus will undoubtedly be on optimizing care for mothers and children, thereby contributing to the community’s overall well-being.
