PASCAR SMALL GRANT AWARD PROGRESS REPORT – Nigeria (SEPTEMBER 2017)

Below are the highlights of the month of September 2017

Several of the states’ liaison persons have gone ahead to constitute State RHD task teams. Some have visited their state commissioners for health (SCFH) during the month of September 2017, to advocate for RHD control and inform them of the forthcoming national roundtable conference. These include: Osun, Katsina, Adamawa, Ondo and Cross River states, where the RHD teams and their messages were very well received and all the Commissioners expressed great enthusiasm to run with the RHD agenda. Two State Commissioners (Katsina and Cross River) were eager to have the matter discussed at the imminent National Council of Health (NCH) meeting coming up in October 2017 and each promised to present a memo on RHD control at the meeting.

Osun State

The team met with their SCFH (Dr. Isamotu) and Special Assistant to the Governor on health matters (Dr. Oyinlola) on the 7th of September, 2017. The team and their presentation were very well received. The two government officials promised to support and partner with the task team in the effort to eradicate RHD in the state, including partnering with them to organize seminars and workshops on RHD for the health care providers in the state.

Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Isamotu (2nd right) and Special Assistant to the State Governor on Health, Dr. Oyinlola (2nd left), flanked by Dr. Suraj Ogunyemi (left) and Dr. A.A. Akintunde(right), members of the Nigerian Cardiac Society and and the Osun State RHD task team.

Katsina State

The team being led by Dr. Nazir, visited their State Commissioner and her team on the 18th of September. The presentation on RHD prevention and control was followed by extensive discussions on locally relevant issues, challenges and possible ways forward. Resolutions/action plans were agreed upon.

Katsina State team, led by Dr. Nazir (right) and some team members, interacting with the SCFH, Hajiya Mariyatu Bala Usman (4th from left facing the camera) and her team

Adamawa State

The team, led by Dr. Ahmadu Baba Usman, took the opportunity of a meeting of health care professionals in the state, to interact with the SCFH, Dr. Fatima Atiku Abubakar, on the 22nd of September, 2017. She pledged her support and urged the task team to equally brief the minister of health on the issue.

Adamawa State team leader, Dr. Ahmadu Baba Usman (left) with the SCFH (holding microphone) during the interactive session.

The Cross River State

The team (comprising paediatric / adult cardiologists and family physicians) met with their SCFH Dr. Inyang Asibong, on the 26th of September, 2017. The team was very well received. She agreed to make a strong mention through a memo at the upcoming NCH meeting.

The multi-­‐disciplinary RHD task team of Cross River State in a group photograph with the SCFH, Dr.

Inyang Asibong (sitting, 3rd from left) after their interaction on the 26th of September, 2017.

Members of the National RHD Task Team in a group photograph with the Director of Public Health, FMoH, Abuja, Dr. Evelyn Ngige (3rd from right) and her team after their interaction on the 13th of September, 2017. From left are: Dr.Malau Mangai Toma (NCD desk officer, FMoH), Dr. Christopher Yilgwan (Task Team member) and Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe (Head, NCD Unit, FMoH). From right are: Dr. Austin Odili (Assistant Secretary-­‐General, NCS) and Prof. Fidelia Bode-­‐Thomas, Leader, RHD Task Team.