By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Preparatory to the commencement of a Two year intervention for improved Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Bauchi State titled “Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) Project, the implementing organization of the project, Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) has disseminated key baseline findings conducted in 235 primary healthcare facilities centres (PHCs) to the Bauchi State Government.
The dissemination engagement took place at the Banquet Hall of Bauchi Government on Tuesday 28th May, 2024.
Ms.Theodora of JHPIEGO, while presenting some of the key findings carried out in sampled 235 PHCs said that the objective of the baseline study was to identify areas of strength, gaps and weaknesses in PHCs and also identify which of PHCs the G-ANC Project will be working with.
Some of the key findings Ms.Theodora mentioned was that ANC 1 attendance across the 235 facilities was recorded at 247,504 visits with retention rates of 26% and 6% for ANC 4 and 8 , respectively, with monthly averages of 87, 23 and 6 for ANC 1 , 4 and 8 .
Also key baseline findings on maternal, perinatal, child mortality rates , malaria management among pregnant women, nutrition, post natal care, uptake of family planning etc were highlighted during the event.
Ms. Theodora also mentioned that the study was carried out using the time period from March 2023 to February 2024.
Giving an overview of the G-ANC Intervention, State Team Lead (STL) of the Project, Joy Uberu said that it is a Two year intervention that is going to be implemented by JHPIEGO, through TA Connect with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Uberu said that the goal of the G-ANC Project is to strengthen PHC systems, improve service delivery and uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health + Nutrition high impact interventions (RMNCAH + N HIIs) along the continuum of care layering on the ANC / PNC model of care.
According to the STL, the G-ANC Project intends to achieve the set goal through some specific objectives that includes: 1- Improve uptake of RMNCAH + N HIIs along the continuum of care compared to the baseline findings. 2 – Improve the quality of care of RMNCAH + N services along the continuum of care compared to the baseline. 3 – Improve data use for decision making and create demand for services. 4 – Improve health outcomes of mothers and newborns through adoption of gender lens to address gender barriers and inequalities, and 5 – Improve uptake of high impact interventions at the community level to address high proportion of home births and zero dose children.
In his address, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed the State Government readiness to partner with JHPIEGO and its implementing partners towards addressing the gaps and weaknesses that were captured in the baseline findings.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Kashim Ibrahim, the Governor said that his Administration is working in synergy with International Developmental Partners to positively improve the health status of the people, especially children and mothers.
“This assessment you have carried out is crucial step in understanding the current state of our health facilities and identifying areas for improvement as well as selected those to partake in the project. I am happy to hear that this intervention is covering 158 PHCs based on the successes recorded and we learn that there is a possibility of scaling up to additional health facilities”, said the Governor.
Earlier the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo said that the G-ANC Project aims to revolutionize the way the State provide antenatal care, making it more effective, efficient, and patient-centered that would in the future translate into reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths in both rural and urban settlements.”
Speaking on the sidelines with our correspondent, the Country Director of JHPIEGO Nigeria, Dr Adetiloye Oniyire, who was represented by Oyetunji Ajiyola, said JHPIEGO is excited with the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by the Bauchi State Government with regards to the G-ANC Project and assured that, with the support of the Government, the goal of the Project will be achieved.
He said Bauchi State is not a new terrain for JHPIEGO because of its previous interventions in the state.
The Country Director then expressed his confidence in the ability of the Bauchi State Government in sustaining the best practices the State may learn during implementation of the G-ANC Project.