MISP Implementation in Nigeria

Location:

Introduction:

Boko Haram violence has forced some 1.82 million people from their home in Northeast Nigeria. As the uprooted continued to flee, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities swelled in Borno State. Health facilities in formal IDPInternally displaced person camps and informal camps run by the Federal Ministry of Health were ill-equipped and lacking trained medical staff. Health services, including sexual and reproductive health, were almost non-existent in Maiduguri where health facilities had never recovered from Boko Haram insurgency, placing women and girls at increased risk of life-threatening health problems.

Project Description:

To respond to the health needs of women and girls specifically, the IRCInternational Rescue Committee Emergency Response Team deployed its SRHSexual and reproductive health Coordinator in August of 2016. The SRHSexual and reproductive health Coordinator worked work with her team to launch the MISPMinimum Initial Service Package in the newly liberated government areas in Borno State, Nigeria.

Results:

The IRCInternational Rescue Committee conducted a situation analysis of existing structures and gaps, which informed the strategy and work plan. The IRCInternational Rescue Committee recruited midwives and skilled staff to augment and support existing Ministry of Health providers. RH KitsInter-Agency Reproductive Health Kits were ordered and delivered including SRHSexual and reproductive health equipment, medications, contraceptives, and supplies for 6 months. The SRHSexual and reproductive health Coordinator also conducted on-the job training for providers to provide clinical care for sexual violence, contraception, and post-abortion care. The IRCInternational Rescue Committee supported a total of 5 clinics, including 4 satellite clinics providing basic SRHSexual and reproductive health and referrals. Within 4 weeks, the IRCInternational Rescue Committee set up the only reproductive health clinic in Bakassi IDPInternally displaced person camp, providing antenatal and family planning services – seeing 134 new contraception acceptors within the first month. The clinic also provided basic primary healthcare services and emergency delivery services. In addition, the team set up SRHSexual and reproductive health programming in multiple informal camp facilities led by the Federal Ministry of Health, offering antenatal consultations and SRHSexual and reproductive health supplies to women and girls.

Lessons Learned:

The IRCInternational Rescue Committee’s experience in Nigeria demonstrates that emergency responders must anticipate a low number of skilled health staff available, long lead times for procurement and recruitment, and low priority placed on SRHSexual and reproductive health. To fill these gaps, responders must budget for more skilled staff including procurement staff, and prepare data and evidence to share with local authorities and in the health cluster to prioritize SRHSexual and reproductive health.