MNCNH #MMR #MWAN #CCSI #ACEPHAP #PATHFINDER #TAConnect #cihp #smileformothers This report provides an overview of the activities and accomplishments of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) from July to September 2024. Through the National Executive and thematic committees, MWAN has made significant strides in advancing women’s health, empowering healthcare professionals, and promoting community well-being. Our continued dedication and vision is undoubtedly contributing to the MWIA triennial theme of One Humanity: Health Solutions through our Partnerships. Our erudite National President was awarded the highest honour a doctor can receive from the Nigerian Medical Association. She joined the Rivers State NMA Roll of Honour Awardees in August 2024.
Strategic Planning and Governance:
MWAN held its monthly and quarterly meetings to ensure effective leadership and governance in decision-making within the organization. The National Executive Council meeting was held on 27th July 2024 and the Executive meeting on 23rd July and 29th August 2024, while the joint meeting with heads of strategic committees was held, September 26th 2024.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
MWAN engaged with both national and international organizations on advocacy, collaborations and partnerships to raise awareness on key issues, provide service, strengthen capacity or support a policy move.
– 5th July, Prof. Rosemary Ogu was a guest on the 102nd edition of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) where she discussed substance abuse in Pregnancy: symptoms, signs, effects and remedies.
– MWAN made input to the memorandum submitted by the Nigeria Medical Association on the National Eye Centre Establishment Bill and Health Infrastructure Development Bill
– 12th July – MWAN participated in the World Population Day CSO Symposium held in Abuja in collaboration with Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Population Association of Nigeria, Association of Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH); Development, Research & Project Centre (dRPC), Federal Ministry of Health and other partners.
– 22nd July – MWAN participated in the official launch of the Nigeria Immunization Collaborative, a partnership between the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF and the Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF). The collaborative is charged with tackling immunization challenges and driving progress towards the goals of Immunization Agenda 2030.
Capacity Building and Professional Development:
MWAN States and National committees organized training workshops and seminars to enhance the skills and competencies of MWAN members. MWAN with support from Pfizer held a one-day symposium on Current trends in the management of Sickle Cell disease on 27th July 2024. It was a platform for learning with over 300 participants onsite and online learning from reputable subject matter speakers in a training adjudged to have increased capacity for SCD management and the SCD narrative in Nigeria, Africa and UK.
Community Outreach and Health Promotion:
The MWAN outreach in partnership with ProHealth train moved to Imo State from the 7th to 12th July 2024. This was the 7th outreach collaboration and saw the launching of Regions Healthcare and Specialist clinics, a flagship multispeciality hospital in Imo state. WHO and UN Commemorative Days are leveraged for health promotion and education. 12 MWAN state branches (including Rivers, Edo, Lagos, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Gombe) have carried out medical outreaches, screening and treating thousands of beneficiaries.
Collaboration and Partnership:
MWAN partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations in this quarter. MWAN collaborated with Women in Leadership advancement Network (WiLaN), Public Health in Real Life and Women Leading Change for a Women in Global Health Leadership Training Close-Out Ceremony on August 17th, 2024. This hybrid event marked the culmination of an incredible journey for 25 participants, who are MWAN members.
Research and Innovation:
MWAN wrote and submitted an expression of interest in providing technical support to USAID’s Moving Integrated, Quality Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Family Planning and Reproductive Health (MOMENTUM) Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project. We are currently at the Pre-Award Assessment phase.
Specific Events
Outreach Committee, Maternal & Child health, Adolescent Health, Women’s Health, Dental & Oral Health as well as Gender Based Violence Committees have all had activities commemorating relevant world health days. Thousands of women and children have been impacted through medical outreaches, health education, service delivery and sundry engagements.
5TH July: Substance Abuse in Pregnancy: Signs, Symptoms, Effects and Remedy @102nd NDLEA weekly interaction on X
6th July: Leadership training for members with the theme Leadership Agility and Developing an Executive presence
9th – 13th July: Medical and surgical outreach program in Umunoha, Imo State – A collaboration with ProHealth
12th July: World Population Day National Symposium in Abuja. The Population Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with MWAN, Civil Society Organizations implementing family planning programming with support from the development Research and Projects Center (dRPC).
https://www.facebook.com/rosemary.ogu.9/videos/1071215911189459/
27th July: National Executive Council Meeting and Symposium sponsored by Pfizer ‘Specialties on advancements in Sickle Cell care’.
August 1st – 7th: 30 states carried out activities for World Breastfeeding week through the maternal and child health committee. The theme was Closing the gap, breastfeeding support for all.
27th July: National Executive Council Meeting and Symposium sponsored by Pfizer Specialties on advancements in Sickle Cell care’.
MWAN National Committee on Adolescent Health featured an educational webinar on the Needs, Wants, Health Issues and Challenges of Adolescents.
MWAN participated in the 8th Annual high-level meeting on Health Professionals Association convened by dRPC at Corinth Villa Hotel Abuja on the 19th September aimed at strengthening capacity of health associations for advocacy
MWAN National President made a press statement calling for support on World Contraception Day celebrated 26th September annually
https://www.facebook.com/rosemary.ogu.9/videos/1071215911189459/ (switch on volume)
MWAN participated in the on boarding meeting of partners in the grant implementation on Accelerating the expanded expansion of Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health Nutrition Innovations in Nigeria. Be an advocate. Support the acceleration. Save lives. #AIM-#SCIDaR #CHAI #hsdf #BMGF
Upcoming activities
October
Oct 1st – 5th International and National Days for the older person webinar by the Senior Members Forum
October – World Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
Oct 10th – World Mental Health Day
Oct 11th – International Day of the Girl child
November
November 14th – World Diabetes Day
Dr Vetty Agala,
National Coordinat
Fig 1. MWAN National President, Prof. Rosemary at a high-profile meeting to kick off BMGF AIM project to
reduce maternal mortality. She made a speech on support for safe abortion and contraception availability
Fig 2. MWAN National President as a panelist discussing Leadership in health
Fig 3. MWAN members at the Government House, Lagos State for advocacy before the July NEC meeting
Fig 4. National medical outreach and Sickle cell symposium held in Lagos