My concern then was the fact that the Nigerian Health NGOs who were expected to engage in meaningful advocacy both at the policy environment and communities to douse tension and influence positive progress were just mere spectators. 10 years after, the health advocacy landscape in Nigeria hasn’t changed much. While we have more health NGOs we still lack that sustained, concerted and organised advocacy efforts that will positively impact in the health sector.
Let’s have a quick scan of health issues currently which through strategic advocacy efforts we expect to witness improvement. Nigeria commits to allocate 15% of its budget to health in line with 2001 Abuja Declaration and to spend $54 per health capita. Our current health budget is about 6% and we are spending about $20 per capita annually. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is 545 in Nigeria compared to other countries of Africa is unacceptably high.
It is still fresh in our memory that it was at the London Summit on Family Planning in 2012 that Nigeria was applauded for committing to in addition to our current annual funding of US$3 million for the procurement of reproductive health commodities to add US$8,350,000 annually over the next four years from 2012 making a total of about US$45 Million.
This was an increase of 300%. Regrettably as we enter 2014, the 2013 allocation wasn’t released. Another significant action in Nigeria is the campaign to pass into law the long awaited national health bill which serves as a veritable tool to address funding gap in the health sector and ensures improved quality of care.
This move is also in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nation Secretary General’s Strategy on women’s and children’s health. When it becomes a law, its implementation will improve financial resources from the proposed 2% of the Consolidated Federal Revenue Capital that would be channelled to primary health care and national health insurance. Regrettably the bill is always passed by the federal legislatures but not assented by the executive arm of government.
The United Nations Commodities Commission, led by Co-Chairs President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway had released a report which outlined a priority list of 13 reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) commodities that can prevent and treat many of the leading causes of death in these countries.
In spite of the strong evidence showing their impact in saving lives, too often the 13 commodities are out of the reach of those individuals who need them. These medicines and health supplies cost just dollars, with the majority costing less than US$1 per dose. However, multiple barriers prevent people from accessing these commodities in Nigeria. Other challenges in Nigeria are the very low skilled attendants at birth, more women attending Antenatal care but fewer coming back to deliver in the facilities due to lack of confidence and poor infrastructural facilities.
It is in line with my wish and optimism to see improvement in the issues mentioned above via a concerted advocacy that I welcome Champions for Change Project (C4C) to Nigeria. In a well circulated press release on Sunday 23rd February 2014 the Public Health Institute (PHI) announced the launch of Champions for Change: Advocating for Healthy Families in Nigeria, a powerful new initiative working to save the lives of mothers, newborns, and children. In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Champions for Change (C4C) leverages the successful model developed by sister initiative Let Girls Lead to build a movement of Nigerian champions advocating for improved reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health.
In Nigeria, one in 13 women die in pregnancy or childbirth, and 12% of children die before reaching the age of five. To address these devastating challenges, C4C is investing in Nigerian advocates who are leading the fight for healthy mothers, children, and families. Based at the Public Health Institute, C4C will strengthen the leadership and impact of an inaugural cohort of 30 visionary leaders from 10 Nigerian organizations working for improved reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH).
“When our mothers and children are stronger, we are all stronger,” says Public Health Institute CEO and President Mary A. Pittman. “Champions for Change’s powerful global advocacy model will save the lives of millions of women and children by improving laws, policies, and programs in Nigeria.”
C4C provides Nigerian leaders with intensive leadership development and executive coaching, strengthens partner organizations through advocacy funding and technical assistance, and supports Nigerian networks to collaboratively advance the RMNCH agenda. Recognizing that maternal mortality is the number one killer of adolescent girls globally, C4C will also support innovative strategies for engaging young women in RMNCH advocacy.
“Building upon our tremendously successful initiatives in Africa and Latin America, we will invest in visionary leaders and powerful local organizations to achieve large-scale change in Nigeria,” said Denise Dunning, Founder and Executive Director of Let Girls Lead and Champions for Change. “We are thrilled to adapt our successful model for strategic advocacy to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes.”
In conclusion I keenly watch to see the impact that the C4C will make in Nigeria and equally to support us to advocate for all the promises we made via FP2020, A Promise Renewed (APR) and the UN Commissions on Information and accountanlity and that of Life-Saving Commodities.
All comments to Dr Aminu Magashi at [email protected]
