West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD)

#Collaborations between WACPHD and academic institutions are vital for advancing impactful public health solutions as innovations in #publichealth programming and scientific #research continue to evolve. In this spirit, the West African Centre for Public Health and Development #WACPHD recently visited the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, to explore potential #partnerships where we were received by Prof. Iyeopu Siminialayi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for #Research and #Development on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the prestigious institution. Dr. Chukwuemaka Agi, a WACPHD Board of #Trustees member and proud UNIPORT alumnus introduced WACPHD’s collaborative vision. Dr. KALADA GREEN, WACPHD’s Country Director, presented the KPPR 2024 Report to the DVC R&D, emphasizing the inclusion of Rivers State in the assessment. Our discussion on collaboration aims to advance research ideation, generate #evidence, and enhance public health programs, ultimately empowering the next generation of public health leaders and researchers.

WACPHD represented by Kufre Ndueso and Osas Ayewah convened with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Bauchi State Ministry of Health (SMoH), and key stakeholders to kick off the HEAT II Project in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Stakeholders included the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Bauchi, the NASCP National Coordinator, BACATMA, health officials, and community leaders. Together, we’re advancing hepatitis testing and treatment in the region. #WACPHD #HEATII #PublicHealth #HepatitisElimination #HealthInnovation

Earlier this week, the National AIDs and STI Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, paid a courtesy visit to the Hon Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh to discuss the implementation of the Hepatitis Evaluation to Amplify Testing and Treatment (HEAT 2) in Rivers State. The HEAT project is being implemented by the West African Center for Public Health and Development (WACPHD). The HEAT 1 project, which aimed to access facility-level testing capacity for hepatitis B and C in 2 states, was successfully implemented in #Nasarawa and #AkwaIbom States, and the results were disseminated. Based on the need to ensure wider coverage, strengthen local coalitions, and generate more evidence-based data towards the elimination of viral hepatitis B and C in Nigeria, the WACPHD in collaboration with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STI Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health, and with support from Abbott Rapid Diagnostics will be implementing HEAT 2 in 4 selected states – #Abia, #Bauchi, #Niger and #RiversState. The objectives of the HEAT 2 project are - ✅To assess current testing and treatment capacity for HBV and HCV elimination in Nigeria ✅To determine testing and treatment needs for HBV and HCV elimination in Nigeria ✅To strengthen the local coalition’s capacity to assess testing and treatment gaps within facilities in the various states ✅To make policy recommendations to inform future program development and intervention in Nigeria. Rivers state was selected based on the disease burden of hepatitis vis-à-vis, population size, and strategic location within the south-south geopolitical zone. This project will be implemented over a six-month period in 48 public and private health facilities at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. #Hepatitis #HEAT2 #NACA #FMOH #RiversState #Health4AllRivers

I had the pleasure of hosting a courtesy visit from the National AIDS and STI Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to discuss the implementation of the Hepatitis Evaluation to Amplify Testing and Treatment (HEAT 2) project in Rivers State. The NASCP team was accompanied by their technical partners West African Centre for Public Health and Development (WACPHD) supported by the Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Canada. It was also delightful catching up with one of my dearest mentees Dr Achama Eluwa. The HEAT 1 project, successfully implemented in Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states, demonstrated the importance of assessing facility-level testing capacity for hepatitis B and C. Building on the success of HEAT 1, the WACPHD, in collaboration with the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STI Control Program and with support from Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, will be implementing HEAT 2 in four states, including Rivers State. Rivers State was selected for this crucial project due to factors such as the significant burden of hepatitis within our population, our strategic location within the South-South region, etc. The HEAT 2 project will be implemented over a six-month period across 48 public and private health facilities, encompassing primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care. The objectives of this project are to: ✅To assess current testing and treatment capacity for HBV and HCV elimination in Nigeria ✅To determine testing and treatment needs for HBV and HCV elimination in Nigeria ✅To strengthen the local coalition’s capacity to assess testing and treatment gaps within facilities in the various states ✅To make policy recommendations to inform future program development and intervention in Nigeria. I am confident that this collaboration will significantly contribute to our efforts to combat viral hepatitis in Rivers State. #Hepatitis #HEAT2 #NACA #FMOH #RiversState #Health4AllRivers

Recently, I was in Lagos State for field monitoring visits on a Family Planning project. During my visits, I was able to guide the team on what it's expected to meet the set target for the project and also projected the completion rate Thanks to my team and country director for the privilege to serve!!!

Wishing all our Friends and Partners a Merry Christmas and a Remarkable New Year ✨️ 🎄

The South-to-South Learning Network (SSLN) Key Population (KP) 2-day Effective Coverage Workshop commenced today, December 11, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, with various participants, including Country Champions and stakeholders from national and subnational levels. Organized by Genesis Analytics in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), University of Manitoba, Population Council - Kenya and Population Council Inc., the workshop focuses on addressing gaps in HIV prevention programming for key populations in Nigeria. In his opening remarks, Dr KALADA GREEN, Country Coordinator, West African Centre for Public Health and Development, highlighted the importance of the SSLN initiative, stating, “We should pay attention to the Effective Coverage framework and use it as a guideline for future programming.” He urged stakeholders to utilise the Effective Coverage framework to strengthen their efforts and affirmed the Institute for Global Public Health’s support for these initiatives. The participants engaged with the Effective Programme Coverage Framework, presented by University of Manitoba’s Leigh McCarty, to identify coverage gaps and explore actionable solutions. Dr. Green also emphasized the importance of incorporating geographic, demographic, and socio-cultural contexts into equity analysis. The first day concluded with progress toward understanding KP program strategies and assessing coverage gaps. Tomorrow’s sessions will focus on interpreting findings, completing the Adolescent Boys and Young Men Prevention Self Assessment Tool (PSAT), and finalizing recommendations to advance HIV prevention efforts in Nigeria.

WACPHD is represented at the 2024 World AIDS Day Main Event organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This year's #WAD theme is #TakeTheRightsPath. We join other partners and stakeholders in calling for more awareness and collaboration in combating HIV/AIDS among adults and children.

Important Flashback: On August 30, 2024, the West African Centre for Public Health and Development proudly launched the 2024 Key Population Program Review Report, marking a milestone event in our commitment to advancing public health for key populations in Nigeria. Held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, the report launch brought together government agencies, key stakeholders, policy advocates, funding partners and community partners, all united by a shared mission to improve health outcomes for vulnerable communities. The report highlighted the significant progress made in expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment services including data-driven successes and evolving strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of key populations such as female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs (PWID). However, it also underscored ongoing challenges, including stigma and discrimination that hinder equitable healthcare access. The event set the stage for actionable change, inspiring renewed dedication among partners and stakeholders and participants engaged in robust discussions about innovative approaches to enhance service delivery and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV. Visit our website to download the full report: www.wacphd.org

This week, we were pleased to host representatives from our international partners, the University of Manitoba and India Health Action Trust, including Pranav Bhushan and Tauheed Alam. Their visit focused on the ongoing Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project assessing health facilities that provide Family Planning and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (FPMNCH) services in Lagos. This project aims to gather crucial insights into the quality and reach of FPMNCH services, helping inform strategies for improvement. We’re excited about the progress and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this collaborative effort on maternal and child health in Lagos.