Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Care in Nigeria – A Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Multi‑centre Study

BACKGROUND: The adopted health facility pilot demonstration programme was targeted to achieve sustainable development goals 3 and 5. Nigeria is one of the countries with poor maternal, newborn/child health outcomes – over 800 maternal deaths per 100,000; under‑5 mortality 113–200/1000 live births; NMR of 36/1000 live births. Improving health indices through clinical monitoring, reducing 
neonatal tetanus (NT) risk factors and health systems strengthening can improve MNCH indicators. These factors were considered in the program and indicators were related to Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria’s themes/subthemes.

METHODS: Interested states were given a letter of introduction to their selected health facility, a plaque to mount in the facility and a template for data submission. Data were sent from facility focal persons through the State Presidents to the National Coordinator, collated and analysed from January 2020 to December 2021. Data were used to track MNCH indicators and intervene. Interventions implemented included training on Strengthening Health Systems, supportive supervision, provision of commodities, for example, chlorhexidine gel, flier distribution and airing jingles. Monthly Monitoring/Evaluation Sessions started from January 2021 for dissemination to stakeholders and receiving feedback. A major intervention was sensitisation on family planning (FP), maternal/NT elimination, female genital mutilation, HIV/AIDS during 2021 World Population Day commemoration.

RESULTS: The project involved 16 health facilities in 14 states. The results of 12 health facilities from 10 States are being presented in this article. There was a marked reduction of NT cases from 16 in 2020 to 3 in 2021. After WPD activities, 10 states had increased contraceptive utilisation. Lack of FP commodities, insecurity and COVID‑19 negatively affected FP uptake in four facilities. Facilities increased food demonstrations after supportive supervision.

CONCLUSION: This project demonstrates that instituting an efficient all‑embracing monitoring/evaluation system in the health sector using objectively verifiable indicators, can contribute to improving health indices of African nations such as Nigeria.