JHPIEGO To Implement Two-year G-ANC Project in Bauchi State
Mr Oyetunde Ajiyola, representative of the Country Director, JHPIEGO Nigeria, Dr Adetiloye Oniyire.
By Murtala Muhammad
Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO) has concluded arrangement to commence a two-year Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) Project towards improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in the State.
The project’s State Technical Lead (STL) Ms. Joy Uberu stated this at the dissemination of baseline findings conducted in 235 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state held at Government House in Bauchi.
Ms. Joy Uberu said the two-year intervention would be implemented by JHPIEGO, through TA Connect with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
She said the goal of the project was to strengthen PHC systems, improve service delivery and uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition High Impact Interventions (RMNCAH + N HIIs) along the continuum of care layering on the Antenatal and Postnatal Care (ANC/PNC). model.
In a remark, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed readiness to partner with JHPIEGO and other implementing partners towards addressing the gaps captured in the baseline findings towards improving the health status of the people, especially children and mothers.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Kashim Ibrahim, the Governor said the assessment carried out by the project was crucial towards understanding the current state of health facilities and identifying areas for improvement as well as selection of those to take part in the project.
He expressed delight over the project’s resolve to offer intervention in one hundred and fifty eight PHCs based on the successes recorded as well as scaling it up to additional health facilities.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adamu Sambo said the G-ANC Project aims to revolutionize the status quo in the state’s antenatal care, making it more effective, efficient and patient-centered.
He added that it would at the long run translate into reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths in both rural and urban areas.
Speaking on the sidelines with our correspondent, the Country Director of JHPIEGO Nigeria, Dr Adetiloye Oniyire, said JHPIEGO is excited with the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by the 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.
Dr Oniyire who was represented by Oyetunji Ajiyola, said JHPIEGO was not new in the state considering its previous interventions.
The Country Director therefore expressed confidence in the ability of the State Government towards adhering and sustaining to best practices that may be learnt during implementation of the two-year G-ANC Project.
