Rotary International, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, has launched a $9 million initiative to improve healthcare services in Nigeria, starting in Kebbi State.
The initiative, according to a statement from RI, in Abuja, responds to the continuing threat of malaria, pneumonia and diarrheal diseases for children under five years of age in the country.
The international humanitarian organization said Rotary's Healthy Communities Challenge aims to reduce malaria, pneumonia and diarrheal diseases by strengthening community health systems.
“As part of the broader Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), the Nigeria program, guided by the Federal Ministry of Health, will address specific health needs in Kebbi State and one additional state to be determined in a later stage.
“More than 2,750 community health workers will be trained and deployed to provide essential diagnosis, treatment and care for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea, significantly reducing child mortality in these regions.
“Rotary is committed to improving health outcomes by empowering communities,” said Aloysius Balogun, leader of the Rotary National Committee in Nigeria and member of the Agege Rotary Club.
“Through this initiative, we are equipping our community healthcare workers with the tools and training necessary to deliver life-saving services right where they are needed most.”
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He added that over the next three years, Rotarians, in partnership with PATH, will work closely with government at the central and local levels, along with community leaders, to improve health systems, “with the goal of reaching approximately 3, 5 million people in 700,000 homes.” in the target states.”
He said the program would also encourage community participation and raise awareness about the importance of early treatment of diseases, while improving data collection and management practices for accurate health reporting and informed decision-making.
“By empowering community health workers and strengthening local health systems, this initiative in Kebbi State can significantly reduce preventable deaths from malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea,” said Obinna Onyekwena, Deputy Director of Infectious Diseases Advocacy at the Gates Foundation.
“The Gates Foundation is proud to partner with Rotary and PATH in this crucial step toward a healthier future for Nigeria's children.”
The Rotary Challenge for Healthy Communities, according to the release, is a multinational initiative aimed at strengthening community health systems and reducing child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
By focusing on malaria, pneumonia and diarrheal diseases, the program seeks to create sustainable health improvements in Nigeria, as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zambia.
In these last three countries, Rotary is partnering with World Vision along with the Gates Foundation to implement the program.
The initiative builds on the success of Rotary's large-scale “Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia” program, which significantly reduced the incidence of malaria in selected districts.
“PATH is privileged to partner with Rotary to support the Ministry of Health,” said Dr. Ayebatari Lawson, PATH MACEPA Team Leader in Nigeria. “Trained community health workers save lives by detecting and eliminating infections early. Through their work, the health system is strengthened with local, timely and quality disease data.”
The statement adds that “Rotary members around the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, They grow local economies and protect the environment.
“Over the past 100 years, $5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of Rotary that helps clubs work together to provide meaningful and impactful service.”