Health and Nutrition – Centre for Family Health Initiative

Capacity Building Training for Healthcare Workers and TBAs in Zamfara State

In a strategic effort to improve maternal health outcomes in Zamfara State, a 2-day capacity building training was conducted for Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), Facility In-charges, and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). The sessions were held at Shagari Primary Health Care (PHC) in Gusau LGA on the 3rd and 4th of March 2026, and at WCWC Bungudu in Bungudu LGA on the 5th and 6th of March. The program reached a total of 90 participants.

The training yielded significant achievements, most notably a marked increase in the participants’ understanding of pregnancy danger signs and a strengthened commitment to promoting facility-based deliveries. By clarifying the referral pathways, the sessions bridged the gap between community-led care and clinical intervention. The TBAs admitted handling most deliveries at home; but following the sessions, they pledged to act as a bridge to health facilities, especially for complicated cases. Similarly, CHEWs utilized the platform to brainstorm local solutions for rural referral challenges, fostering a collaborative spirit that is essential for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.

By building on the increased synergy between TBAs and facility in-charges, the program has laid a foundation for a more responsive health ecosystem in Gusau and Bungudu LGAs, where the goal remains the safety and health of every mother and newborn.

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International Women’s Day 2026 Celebration in Adamawa State

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In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) hosted a landmark community engagement at the residence of the Ward Development Chairman (WDC) in Rumde, Yola North LGA. The event was attended by high-level stakeholders, including the CFHI Project Coordinator, the Facility Manager of Rumde PHCC, and the Yola North Women Leader.

The activity was centered on the localized theme, “Lafiyar Iyali, Girman Namiji” (A healthy family is a man’s pride). This theme was strategically chosen to engage men as active partners in the domestic sphere. It reinforces the idea that a man’s true strength and dignity are reflected in the well-being of his wife and children. This local perspective is deeply connected to the 2026 United Nations IWD theme: “Rights, Justice, and Action.” While the UN focuses on the systemic justice and legal rights of women, the Rumde celebration translated these global goals into domestic action. By ensuring a woman’s right to health and safety is upheld within the home, the community is delivering “Justice” at the most fundamental level. A healthy home is the ultimate celebration of IWD, where a man’s role shifts from a mere provider to a protector of health and a champion of his family’s fundamental rights.

The gathering in Yola North was not merely a celebration but a blueprint for future interventions across the region. This meeting intended to spark a behavioural shift, emphasizing that community development is impossible without the active participation of men in women’s health issues. The goal of this dialogue is to foster a society where men take pride in escorting their wives to clinics and ensuring their daughters are educated and healthy.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honour the homes where equality and health reside, recognizing that when a woman thrives, the entire family and indeed the entire community prospers.

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Training on Maternal and Neonatal Child Health for TBAs and CHEWs

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The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) with support from relevant partners successfully conducted a specialized 4-day training program in Adamawa State, focused on enhancing the synergy between Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs). The exercise commenced on the 2nd and 3rd of March 2026 at the NSHIP Hall in Girei LGA, followed by sessions on the 4th and 5th of March at the NSHIP Hall in Yola North LGA. A total of 90 participants, 45 from each Local Government Area were reached, creating a robust network of community health providers equipped to tackle maternal mortality at the grassroots level. The sessions were led by a team of expert facilitators who utilized interactive modules to bridge the gap between traditional practices and clinical standards.

The core of the curriculum centered on the critical roles of TBAs and CHEWs before, during, and after pregnancy and delivery. Participants were trained on the “Three Delays” model, emphasizing their role in early danger sign recognition during the prenatal period and the necessity of immediate referral to skilled facilities during labor. Facilitators detailed the collaborative workflow required during delivery to ensure sanitary conditions and professional overwatch, while the postnatal sessions focused on essential newborn care and monitoring the mother for hemorrhaging. By clarifying these roles, the training sought to transform TBAs from isolated practitioners into “Community Linkage Agents” who work together with CHEWs to ensure every birth is attended by a skilled professional.

The importance and benefits of this training lie in its ability to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity rates across Adamawa State. By integrating TBAs into the formal health referral system, CFHI is ensuring that cultural trust is maintained while medical safety is prioritized. The primary benefit is the creation of a seamless “Continuum of Care,” where pregnant women are encouraged to seek antenatal services early and deliver in safe environments. Ultimately, this intervention empowers community health actors with the knowledge to save lives, ensuring that pregnancy is a journey of joy rather than a risk, and strengthening the overall health ecosystem in Girei and Yola North.

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High-Level Policy Engagement: Courtesy Visit to the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology

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CFHI was honoured to join Grand Challenges Nigeria and fellow innovators on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

As a grantee under GCNg’s inaugural request for proposals themed “Advancing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health,” CFHI is implementing the BIRTH Project in Zamfara and Adamawa States. The project addresses Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates by strengthening emergency obstetric services, expanding access to skilled birth attendants, deploying life-saving technologies, and building sustainable local capacity.

The BIRTH Project aligns with Nigeria’s broader national efforts, including the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), to accelerate reductions in maternal and newborn deaths through innovative, locally driven solutions.

We were pleased to engage alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ministry Directors, and representatives from the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, reflecting the multisectoral collaboration required to sustainably reduce MNCH mortality.

At CFHI, we remain committed to ensuring innovation reaches the last mile, where mothers and newborns need it most.

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Promoting Maternal Nutrition Through Food Demonstration at Adamawa PHC

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A comprehensive food demonstration session was conducted at Girei A Primary Health Care Centre, targeting pregnant women and lactating mothers. The session was facilitated by a food security and nutrition specialist.

The session aimed to:

Promote the importance of adequate and balanced nutrition for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
Increase knowledge of locally available, affordable, and nutritious food options.
Strengthen understanding of optimal infant and young child feeding practices.
Demonstrate practical, hygienic food preparation techniques.

Participants were actively engaged in discussions on how commonly available food items within the community can be combined to achieve a balanced diet and improve overall family health outcomes.

The team held 8 training sessions and 129 women were trained.

Have you ever prepared:

JOLLOF RICE with LOCUST BEAN and MORINGA LEAVES?
DO YOU LIKE TOM BROWN – Yes or No?

Tell us in the comment below.

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CFHI Leads GBV Awareness Outreach at King Fahad Hospital to Mark 16 Days of Activism

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As part of activities commemorating the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) in collaboration with MonClub International conducted a targeted GBV awareness and sensitization outreach at King Fahad Hospital in Gusau, Zamfara State. The session which held during the facility’s Antenatal Clinic (ANC) day, formed part of CFHI’s intensified advocacy to reduce violence against women and girls and strengthen community-level prevention systems within maternal health settings.

More than 120 pregnant women and caregivers in attendance received comprehensive enlightenment on the various forms of GBV including domestic violence, emotional abuse, harmful traditional practices, and sexual abuse. Facilitators also emphasized key prevention approaches, early disclosure, available medical and psychosocial support systems, and safe channels for reporting cases. Questions raised by attendees were addressed to promote improved knowledge, confidence, and help-seeking behavior.

Stakeholders present at the outreach included CFHI and MonClub International staff, ANC matrons, facility health workers, and a UNICEF supervision team. During the sensitization, attendees were educated on the impact of gender-based violence on maternal health, emotional wellbeing, and household stability, and further enlightened on its wider social and economic repercussions. Their participation reinforced collaborative support for survivor-centered response mechanisms and validated the effectiveness of the outreach on facility-based clients.

Facility staff expressed appreciation, noting that GBV remains an underlying barrier to maternal health outcomes, and that continuous sensitization helps improve disclosure and access to services.

The outreach was successfully executed and well-received by both participants and the facility leadership, who commended CFHI’s timely engagement during the global campaign period. CFHI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing stronger advocacy, providing information, enhancing survivor referral pathways, and working with institutional partners to scale GBV prevention initiatives across Zamfara State

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Solar Birth Kit Installed at Shagari PHC to Improve Maternal Care Services

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In a strategic move aimed at strengthening maternal healthcare delivery in Zamfara State, Grand Challenges Nigeria in partnership with the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI), installed a Solar Birth Kit at the Shagari Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gusau Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The initiative is expected to significantly improve safe childbirth, lighting, and emergency response services at the facility, which serves several communities within the LGA.

Installation activities commenced at approximately 1:00 p.m. following the arrival of installation equipment and technical personnel from Kebbi State. The process, which lasted about four hours, included mounting solar panels and the internal lighting system, followed by operational testing. The kit provides reliable lighting and power sources required for deliveries conducted at night, vaccine storage, and essential medical procedures critical needs in facilities where electricity supply remains unstable.

Following the installation, engineers led a practical training session for CFHI field officers and health workers at Shagari PHC. The training focused on safe usage, battery maintenance, troubleshooting, and documentation of power output for service records. This capacity building effort is expected to enhance sustainability and ensure that healthcare workers maximize the support offered by the Solar Birth Kit.

The equipment was formally handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the facility and representatives of the host community, symbolizing joint ownership and accountability. Traditional leaders expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that improved lighting and equipment support will benefit pregnant women, particularly during night-time emergencies.

Although installation began behind schedule due to delayed arrival of equipment resulting in health workers waiting several hours beyond their duty time the activity was fully completed by 5:12 p.m. The successful deployment of the Solar Birth Kit stands as a notable milestone toward ensuring safer maternal care in underserved areas. CFHI urged government agencies and development partners to prioritise infrastructural upgrades at PHCs to complement such projects and guarantee quality healthcare delivery for women and children across the state.

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World Toilet Day: Promoting Hygiene, Dignity, and Wellness in our Community

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Today, as the world commemorates World Toilet Day, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) joined the global movement to emphasize that safe sanitation is a human right and a critical component of public health. This year’s focus reinforces the message that toilets, hygiene, and sanitation systems are essential for human dignity, disease prevention, and healthier communities.

In Abuja, CFHI carried out a targeted sensitization outreach engaging men on the importance of personal hygiene and proper toilet maintenance. Recognizing the influential role men play in shaping hygiene practices at home and in public spaces, the session provided clear guidance on essential habits such as regular handwashing, responsible toilet use, and sustaining cleanliness in shared environments. To further support these practices, CFHI also distributed toilet hygiene items including disinfectants, soap, and cleaning materials to encourage immediate action and reinforce the lessons shared during the engagement.

The sensitization highlighted the health risks linked to poor toilet hygiene, including diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, parasitic infections, and antimicrobial resistance conditions that continue to affect millions across communities with limited sanitation awareness. By embracing consistent hygiene routines, men can significantly reduce these risks, protect their households, and contribute to broader public health improvement.

Participants were encouraged to take ownership of sanitation spaces within their homes and workplaces. Practical demonstrations were provided on effective toilet maintenance techniques such as routine cleaning, proper waste disposal, ensuring good ventilation, and addressing minor infrastructural issues before they escalate.

Strengthening these practices improves well-being, boosts productivity, and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all.

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Men’s Health Matters

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Good health is the foundation of a fulfilling life, and for men, taking care of one’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is more important than ever. Men who prioritize their health are better able to meet the demands of daily life, care for their families, pursue their professional goals, and contribute positively to their communities.

The benefits of maintaining good health for men are multi-dimensional. Physically, engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and undergoing routine medical check-ups help prevent chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Preventive healthcare, including screenings for conditions like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and cholesterol management, allows men to detect potential health problems early, leading to more effective treatments and better outcomes. Adequate physical health also supports stamina, energy levels, and mobility, enabling men to participate fully in family life, work, and social activities.

Mental and emotional health is equally crucial. Men often face societal expectations to be strong, stoic, and self-reliant, which can lead to unaddressed stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Prioritizing mental health through stress management techniques, open communication, counselling, or therapy not only reduces the risk of mental illness but also improves decision-making, emotional regulation, and overall life satisfaction. When men take care of their mental wellbeing, they are better equipped to nurture relationships, mentor younger generations, and handle challenges with resilience and clarity.

Good health also supports healthy relationships and social engagement. Men who manage their physical and mental wellbeing are more likely to be present, attentive, and supportive in their roles as fathers, partners, friends, and community members. They serve as role models, demonstrating the importance of self-care, responsible decision-making, and balance. Additionally, healthy men are more productive and focused, contributing positively to workplaces and society at large. The ripple effects of good health extend far beyond the individual, benefiting families, communities, and future generations.

Diet, sleep, and lifestyle choices play critical roles in overall health. Consuming nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated, avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and excessive alcohol, and ensuring adequate rest are all essential components of a healthy life. These practices not only prevent disease but also enhance cognitive function, emotional stability, and long-term wellbeing. Creating environments of calm and balance, even amidst stressful circumstances, helps men maintain clarity and peace of mind, reducing the risk of burnout and chronic stress-related conditions.

Maintaining optimal health not only enhances longevity but also improves quality of life, productivity, relationships, and overall life satisfaction. Health is, in essence, a source of strength, resilience, and empowerment.

Happy International Men’s Day!!

Learn more and collaborate with us at: info@cfhinitiative.org

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Safe Sanitation, Healthy Lives

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Safe sanitation is more than a basic service it is a foundation for public health, human dignity, and community development. Across the world, millions still lack access to functional toilets, clean water, and proper waste-management systems, exposing them to infections, unsafe environments, and preventable health risks. According to the World Health Organization, over 3.5 billion people live without safe sanitation, leaving communities vulnerable to disease outbreaks and environmental contamination ^(1). When sanitation is unsafe, the impact is felt not only in individual households but across entire societies, ultimately affecting economic productivity, education, and the wellbeing of future generations.

Unsafe sanitation often arises from a mix of structural and social challenges. In many communities, poor investment in sanitation infrastructure means people rely on broken toilets, shared facilities, or open defecation. Rapid urban growth creates overcrowded spaces where waste systems cannot keep up, and poverty prevents families from constructing or maintaining hygienic toilets. In some locations, environmental factors like recurring floods and blocked drainage systems worsen sanitation conditions, generating stagnant pools of wastewater that become breeding grounds for disease. Cultural norms and limited hygiene education also play a major role; in places where sanitation is not recognized as a health priority, unsafe practices continue unchecked, reinforcing a cycle of risk ^(2).

The health consequences of unsafe sanitation are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Contaminated water and soil become pathways for diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A, which remain leading causes of sickness and death in areas with poor hygiene ^(3). Children bear the greatest burden, as repeated diarrhoeal infections weaken their immune systems and lead to malnutrition, stunted growth, and reduced school performance. For women and girls, the risks extend even further. When toilets are distant, unsafe, or lack privacy, they become vulnerable to harassment and gender-based violence. Many women avoid defecating during the day due to shame or lack of privacy, causing health complications and discomfort that could easily be prevented with safe sanitary facilities ^(4).

Solving sanitation challenges requires a coordinated effort across communities, governments, and health organizations. Expanding access to improved toilets, investing in sewage and wastewater systems, and maintaining clean public facilities are critical steps toward ensuring healthier environments. Communities also benefit greatly from hygiene education that empowers families with the knowledge and motivation to adopt safe habits such as proper waste disposal, regular toilet cleaning, and handwashing with soap. It is equally important to integrate gender-sensitive sanitation designs that ensure privacy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and persons living with disabilities. When these elements are prioritized, the ripple effect is powerful healthier households, safer schools, cleaner communities, and reduced disease transmission.

CFHI champions safe sanitation by ensuring communities have both the knowledge and the means to practice healthy hygiene. While our school health clubs, community programs, and advocacy campaigns educate families and highlight the vital link between sanitation and human dignity, we also lay the physical foundation for change. CFHI directly builds and renovates WASH facilities in schools, creating the essential infrastructure that allows education to translate into action. By uniting practical construction with sustained awareness, we empower communities and shape healthier environments where every individual can thrive.

A healthy society begins with clean surroundings, safe toilets, and informed communities. Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to safe sanitation because protecting our environment means protecting our lives. We encourage everyone to maintain hygienic toilets, practice proper waste disposal, wash hands regularly, report damaged sanitation systems, and advocate for better WASH facilities in schools, homes, and public spaces. Safe sanitation is not just a necessity; it is a shared responsibility, and together, we can create healthier and safer communities for all. Learn more or collaborate with us at: info@cfhinitiative.org

References

World Health Organization. Sanitation [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation
UNICEF. State of the World’s Sanitation Report [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-worlds-sanitation-2022
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global WASH Fast Facts [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/wash_statistics.html
UN Women. Gender and WASH: Addressing inequalities [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures

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