APIN Public Health Initiatives, an NGO, says it is providing technical assistant to six states toward improving immunization coverage in the Prevention of HIV transmission from mother-to-child. ( PMTCT).
Dr Prosper Okonkwo, CEO of the organization, disclosed this at a meeting of Saving One Million Lives Programme For Results (SOML-PforR), on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo.
Okonkwo, represented by Dr Jay Samuel, APIN’s Director Laboratory Service, said that the six states were Abia, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
The CEO said that with expertise developed from HIV programming in PMTCT, the NGO developed competencies to implement sustainable maternal, newborn and child health programmes at the Primary Health Care level.
According to him, APIN is providing technical assistant in utilizing available data to develop work plans to improve immunization coverage in modern contraceptive method utilization, HIV testing during pregnancy, skilled birth attendance rate and adequate nutrition.
”This involves carrying out bottleneck analysis vis-a-vis the data and sociocultural realities on the communities and the development of a workable solution to address these challenges,” the CEO said.
“We carried out an assessment of the Ministry of Health workers; we developed training modules that built the capacity of public Heath programming, data analysis and utilization, leadership skills, report writing and use of computer package.
”This enhanced data entering skills at grassroots. We improved the quality of services provided at the PHC level by participating and providing technical assistance to officers, who carry out regular supervisory visits.
“ We analyze information obtained from these visits and use such to inform further decisions,” he explained.
Okonkwo further said that APIN interventions have also lead to a redistribution of health workforce that led states to achieve the FMOH required PHCs under one roof policy.
He added that APIN carried out advocacy to the state governments, canvassing for support for quality interventions at the PHC level.
“ This has led to some signing State Health Insurance Bills into Law. We carry out expenditure analysis, using data to inform governments on proper redirection of funds, “ he said.
News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the meeting was organized for Commissioners and stakeholders at state levels for Health in Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Benue.
The meeting was organized by the NGO Programme Support Unit (PSU) for southeast Zone and Benue.
He said that the programme was in partnership with the Ministry of Health as PSU to these states.
NAN reports that the organization began as a project of the Harvard School of Public Health in its commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. (NAN)
