BaSAM Sustainability Plan Workshop Commences in Bauchi
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Preparatory to the exit of Evidence for Action, Mamaye Program (E4A Mamaye) in 2022, the program has commenced an in-house Five days intensive sustainability plan workshop designed for a select members of the Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (BaSAM for MNCH).
In a welcome address before the commencement of the workshop held at Chartwell Hotel Bauchi , the Co-chair of BaSAM from Government, Dr. Daiyabu Mohammed thanked participants for attending the workshop which he described as very important and timely.
Represented by a deputy director, Mallam Usman Mohammed , the co-chair said he is optimistic that the workshop will come up with a robust sustainability plan for BaSAM coalition in “our quest to change the narratives on MNCH in Bauchi State”.
“The caliber of the participants is a clear indication that a sustainability plan will emerge at the end of the workshop”, said Dr. Daiyabu.
Briefing the participants on the objectives of the workshop, senior sustainability and impact advisor of E4A Mamaye Program , Helen Ekpo said the workshop will seek to promote learning and facilitate understanding of sustainability and transition.
Ekpo also said that one of the objectives of the meeting is to support BaSAM in developing sustainable plan that will guide accountability activities and to also develop modalities for institutionalization and implementation of such actions to achieve the overall coalition’s goals.
While expressing her hope on a fruitful outcomes from the workshop, Ekpo also tasked participants on individual commitment towards ensuring the sustainability of BaSAM for an improved MNCH in Bauchi State.
Giving an overview of the Mamaye Program , the E4A Program Country Lead, Dr. Vincent Ahonsi said the main focus of the program is to ensure sustainability of what was started, empowering the coalition through capacity building/technical support and to also share best practices for replication in states where it does not exist.
Represented by the E4A Lagos State Advisor Adenike Badiora, Dr. Ahonsi also said that 3 major approaches have been developed in carrying out E4A Mamaye Program over the years. The approaches, according to the country lead, were anchored on building partnership, evidence-based advocacy and thinking and working politically
Dr. Ahonsi also informed the participants that the intervention areas of the program were tailored to influence agenda setting, increase in accountability and also seek for avenues on resources mobilization.
Our correspondent reports that the 5 days workshop attracted participants from government relevant MDAs, CSOs and the Media.
BaSAM is a coalition made up of government officials in health sector, CSOs and the Media working towards an improved Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health care in Bauchi State using evidence as an advocacy kit.
Timely