Promoting evidence informed policy making in Nigeria : a review of the maternal, newborn and child health policy development process

The study reviewed policy documents on maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) in Nigeria to assess the application of evidence-informed mechanisms in the policy formulation process. From a literature review, policy documents indicate that a consultative process of collection of inputs involving multiple stakeholders was employed, but there was no rigorous scientific process of assessing, adaptation and application of scientific evidence acknowledged in the policy development process. The policy documents neither reported the process of production of evidence used in their development nor indicated the mechanisms in place for knowledge transfer and use of health research findings

Notes on Article Contributors

This is the notes on article contributors for IDS Bulletin 49.2, 'Accountability for Health Equity: Galvanising a Movement for Universal Health Coverage'.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa

Benchmarking health system performance across states in Nigeria: a systematic analysis of levels and trends in key maternal and child health interventions and outcomes, 2000–2013

Results for key maternal and child health indicators from 2000 to 2013, state and national. (XLSX 383 kb

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the partnership for reviving routine immunization in northern nigeria programme in jigawa state, nigeria

Doctor EducationisThe weak routine immunization activities in Nigeria have led to an upsurge of vaccine preventable diseases such as poliomyelitis in the northern parts of the country. This made the federal government to intensify efforts to improve routine immunization activities with various intervention programmes over the years. This commitment of the federal government towards improving routine immunization as a way to promote infant and child survival led to the partnership between the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to support the launching of Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunization in Northern Nigeria (PRRINN) programme in 2006. The programme, implemented in the northern states of Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, and Zamfara was intended to augment other federal government immunization intervention efforts in improving routine immunizations services. After five years of programme implementation, assessment of the effectiveness of PRRINN had not be undertaken using a survey based immunization coverage to establish how well the primary objectives of the programme are being met in terms of improving routine immunization. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of the PRRINN programme in improving routine immunization coverage in Jigawa State using coverage data from the National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) of 2010

AN ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM IN YOBE STATE FROM ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY OF YSCHMA

The objective of this article is to analyze and assess the Yobe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (YSCHMA) from Islamic perspective to ascertain its compatibility or incompatibility with the approved Islamic insurance or Takaful. The study is based on both secondary and secondary data on Takaful, health insurance scheme and the YSCHMA. YSCHMA was introduced in the year 2020 by the Yobe State Government as all-inclusive health care insurance. The aim of the agency is to fast-track the achievement of Universal Health Coverage through effective pooling of resources and strategic purchasing of qualitative and affordable healthcare services. The finding of the study indicates that a clear Islamic view point on this insurance agency is necessary to avoid indulging in prohibited transactions. In modern-day conventional insurance, the insurance vendor (the insurance company) sells policies and invests the proceeds for the profit of its shareholders, who are not necessarily policyholders. There is, therefore, a clear disjunction between policyholders and shareholders. Payouts to policyholders may vary depending on financial performance, but a minimum positive return is always contractually guaranteed. This seems to be weighing risk and burden of uncertainty upon some parties, while Sharia considers any transaction as a humane. It should relieve parties from the burden of uncertainty and do away with perpetual win-lose affairs. The paper evaluates and examines the compatibility of YSCHMA with Takaful. The paper assesses the risk and uncertainties revolving around its shadow, its functions, types of Takaful and concluded by poring over the similarities and differences between the YSCHMA and Takaful. The paper found out that YSCHMA can fall into family Takaful if some minor amendments can be made. The paper adopts qualitative method in obtaining and analyzing the data

Gendered Dimensions of Accountability to Address Health Workforce Shortages in Northern Nigeria

Northern Nigeria has some of the worst health indices in sub‑Saharan Africa. Poor health outcomes are the result of multiple factors, including the lack of front-line health workers in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In 2012, funded by UK aid and DFID, the Women for Health programme was created to address the issue of gendered barriers of access to health education programmes and the subsequent dearth of nurses and midwives. It emerged that a different kind of ‘accountability’ was required to achieve improved maternal health outcomes: holding to account powerful actors within the community for their role in creating barriers of access to education for women and girls, as well as barriers to the retention of female health workers. This article, drawn directly from programme activities in Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, and Zamfara states, documents strategies to shift gender norms that limit women’s professional choices and their access to quality maternal health services.Open Society Foundations, Vozes Desiguais/Unequal Voices, Future Health Systems consortium, the Impact Initiative and Health Systems Globa

Rural transport interventions to improve maternal health outcomes

Rural transport interventions have been shown to improve maternal health outcomes. This rapid review synthesises findings from academic, practitioner, policy and non-governmental organisation (NGO) sources that discuss maternal mortality and transport. The report focusses on evidence on interventions from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in Africa and Asia, in particular. While there is descriptive discussion of ideas for transport provision and interventions, there is considerably less reflection on measurable outcomes and reliable evaluation within the literature. As a result, there is limited reliable data on what works, how and why. Key findings from this review include: Timely treatment is vital to lowering maternal mortality rates There is limited empirical evidence to show effectiveness in reducing adverse outcomes associated with labour and delivery A number of transport interventions are available (e.g. motorcycle, bicycle and vehicular ambulances); Communications that complement the transport provision are also important. Finance schemes (e.g. community-led savings schemes, vouchers) can help facilitate access to maternal healthcare Public health change can decrease delays associated with accessing timely maternal healthcare Interventions need to be sensitive to local conditions and circumstances All interventions cannot be assumed to be successful in facilitating improved healthcare access There is a need for increased monitoring and evaluation of transport interventions Non-existence of a transport operational management system can be a major challenge Procurement of new vehicles and motorbikes is perceived as a solution to challenges faced in managing transport resources in health delivery services While the importance of improved transport and roads to reducing maternal and child mortality rates is recognised, the failure of transportation services is also an important finding Since healthcare decision-making is a complex process drawing on multiple factors and perspectives, interventions do not always translate into improved outcome