Chairman’s Remark

In 2023, the Nigerian health sector encountered a wave of significant challenges, including the emergence of diseases such as diphtheria, anthrax, and dengue fever. Additionally, the migration of health workers to foreign countries, inadequate funding for healthcare development projects, the departure of major global pharmaceutical companies from Nigeria, and a notable increase in the prices of essential drugs further compounded the issues faced by the sector.

As a result, Nigerians have become acutely aware of the necessity for access to functional, affordable, and reliable healthcare systems. Families are increasingly seeking healthcare options that offer security and protection, shielding them and their loved ones from avoidable tragedies. Recognising the urgency for intervention, PSHAN took decisive action by investing significantly to facilitate the revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide. These strategic investments were aimed at addressing the root causes of the sector’s challenges and ensuring that communities across Nigeria have access to essential healthcare services close to home.

PSHAN has also made significant strides in health policy and advocacy, quality programme implementation, research, and development, while also building strategic alliances and key partnerships. Notable partnerships include collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and strategic partnership with MTN Foundation through the Adopt a Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP). Formal agreements with the governments of Rivers State and Edo State have solidified commitments to grassroot healthcare development.

As we reflect on the challenges of 2023, we are reminded of the importance of collective action and collaboration in overcoming obstacles to healthcare delivery. PSHAN remains steadfast in its commitment to driving positive change in the Nigerian health sector, empowering communities, and fostering a future where no individual is left behind in the pursuit of better health outcomes. Together, we can build a healthier Nigeria for generations to come.

Thank you.

Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO, PSHAN

PSHAN AND BMGF PARTNERSHIP

In 2023, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria(PSHAN) embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to pioneer a transformative initiative across five Nigerian states: Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, and Nasarawa. This initiative seeks to revolutionise public-private partnerships (PPPs) by introducing innovative models that emphasize private-sector engagement. Focusing initially on Family Planning commodities, the project aims to strengthen private sector involvement and long-term sustainability in this critical area of healthcare.

Drawing inspiration from collaborative efforts during the pandemic, the initiative is designed to assess the private sector’s role in Family Planning and promote sustainable practices. Beyond research, the initiative will yield tangible outcomes, including a comprehensive report and recommendations for sustainable PPP models.  By laying the groundwork for more robust and impactful partnerships, this initiative has the potential to reshape the landscape of PPPs in Nigeria. The formal launch of this project was marked by a visit from representatives of the BMGF to PSHAN, signifying the beginning of an exciting journey towards innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

PSHAN AND GBC HEALTH PODCAST

Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) forged a meaningful partnership with GBC Health, marked by the launch of PSHAN Podcast, “Episode One: Transforming Health Systems in Nigeria.” This collaborative effort aimed to underscore the importance of healthcare system transformation in driving human capital development and ultimately improving health outcomes.

Featuring esteemed figures such as Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Kunle Oyelana from GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria, and Mrs. Odunayo Sanya from MTN Foundation, the episode offered valuable insights into sustainable approaches for healthcare transformation. Hosted by Lesley-Anne Long, CEO & President of GBC Health, and Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO of PSHAN, this episode served as a platform for fostering a shared understanding of the critical role played by healthcare system transformation in shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.

PSHAN AND MTN FOUNDATION

Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) joined hands with MTN Foundation in a significant partnership aimed at revitalizing 52 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) under the Adopt a Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP). This groundbreaking initiative, announced by Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, entails the implementation of the MTN WCWDT initiative, which focuses on enhancing healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria.

Through this collaboration, MTN Foundation is committed to providing essential support to these PHCs, including advanced medical equipment, essential supplies, solar-powered boreholes, and hybrid solutions for sustainable power supply. The goal is to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services that are easily accessible to Nigerians. PSHAN remains dedicated to making a positive difference in communities, enhancing societal well-being through continued collaboration and innovation.

PSHAN, AIG-IMOUKHUEDE FOUNDATION AND EDO STATE GOVERNMENT

On Monday, 20th November 2023, the Edo State Government formalized the partnership with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) by signing a memorandum of agreement with the other two parties. The primary objective of this collaboration is to enhance the resilience of the healthcare system in the state. As part of this agreement, 18 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are set to be revitalized across Edo state.

PSHAN, HOW FOUNDATION AND RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT

To officially launch the ADHFP in Rivers State, HOW Foundation, led by its Chairman Dr. Herbert Wigwe as well as the PSHAN team visited the then Governor of Rivers State on the 5th of May 2023. The purpose of the visit was to officially launch the revitalisation of 25 PHCs in Rivers State and get the government support.

PSHAN AND STERLING ONE FOUNDATION

PSHAN facilitated the Healthcare Panel Session of the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2023. The engaging and interactive discussions encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of actionable strategies. Through the Health Panel Session, PSHAN aimed to drive forward the agenda for healthcare transformation, foster innovation, and contribute to the achievement of the summit’s objectives. PSHAN also supported the foundation in the screening of the gender-based violence-themed movie, ‘CHATROOM’ for students of the Ovie Brume Foundation on Saturday, February 18th, 2023.

PSHAN AND WARIF

As part of expanding our partnership networks, we partnered with WARIF in providing health education to PHC staff on Forensic Medical Examination Awareness. The WARIF Forensic Medical Examination Awareness initiative through the Adopt-A-Healthcare- Facility Programme (ADHFP) seeks to sensitize health personnel on the fundamentals and importance of Forensic Medical Examination in providing necessary medical examinations on post- incident care to survivors.

PSHAN AND PFIZER

This is a strategic partnership between Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) and Pfizer to contribute to the growth and progress of PSHAN’s Health Initiatives to improve the health sector of Nigeria.

IMPACT

In this year of continued progress on the PSHAN 5-year strategic plan, the Policy Team made giant strides in health policy and advocacy, quality programme  Implementation, research, and development, building strategic alliances and key partnerships for transformation. Our area of focus broke new grounds in vaccine hesitancy, market shaping for family planning, reproductive maternal and child health.

We highlight our contributions to an increasingly complex humanitarian sector through our impact programmes as we work to actualise the vision and mission of PSHAN.

IMPACT PROGRAMMES

VACCINE HESITANCY AND ASSESSMENT IN NIGERIA (VHAN) PROJECT ENDLINE IMPLEMENTATION

PSHAN received funding from Sanofi to conduct implementation research into key vaccine hesitancy factors in our collaborative efforts to improve vaccine uptake in Nigeria, especially as vaccine hesitancy continues to be the greatest threat to global health in old and recent times. This study used the COVID-19 vaccine as an entry point to assess factors affecting the uptake and other childhood routine immunizations in Kano, FCT and Lagos.

The finding highlighted a crucial gap in disseminating information about vaccination locations, indicating a need for improved communication channels for information sharing. At baseline, intent to be vaccinated was encouraging at 66.4%, a significant increase to 82.7% at the end line indicating a positive impact on the SBCC intervention. This calls for intensified campaigns to ensure well-informed and positive community perception, thereby increasing vaccine uptake.

The results show overall that 82.7% of respondents expressed the intention to vaccinate after the intervention compared with 66.4% at the baseline survey. In the FCT, the proportion of respondents with the intention to be vaccinated increased from 68.3% at baseline to 93.1%, the proportion of respondents in Kano state increased from 50.3% to 71.5%, and in Lagos state, the increase was from 74.8% to 83.2%.

Results also show that among gender the proportion of respondents with the intention to vaccinate increased from 64.6% among males to 80.6% and 67.3% to 83.6% among female respondents. This increase in the proportion of respondents to  accinate cuts across all respondents’ demographic characteristics including location, age group, and level of educational attainment etc.

VHAN SIGN OFF CEREMONY

The need to base COVID-19 vaccination programs, policies and interventions on up-to-date information gave rise to the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Assessment in Nigeria (C19-VHAN) study. The COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Assessment in Nigeria (C19-VHAN) study seeks to understand the drivers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Nigerians. Our intention is for the results of the study to inform policymakers decisions to upscale and deploy COVID-19 and other vaccination campaigns. The C-19 VHAN study is a spin-off of PSHAN’s Alliance for Epidemic Preparedness and Response (A4EPR) project targeted at strengthening epidemic response in Nigeria.

The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) represented by Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, CEO, PSHAN and SANOFI represented by Uzo Amatokwu, Head Regulatory Affairs SANOFI, signed an agreement to conduct a COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Assessment in Nigeria (C19-VHAN) on Monday the 26th of September 2022. The 10-month study, which would be conducted in one state in each of the country’s geopolitical zones, would assess and analyze the various  vaccine hesitancy factors in Nigeria and provide objective data that could be used to have a firmer grasp on what is needed to handle pandemic-level crisis going forward.

Download VHAN End Line Report

SHAPING EQUITABLE MARKETS ACCESS (SEMA) FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROJECT

PSHAN was also funded by AMREF as a member of a consortium through its partnership with SEMA’s Reproductive Health Innovative Partnership in Nigeria to implement the SEMA project in Nigeria. This was a multi country project in Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. PSHAN’s focus was Osun state in the five states for Nigeria to transform sexual and reproductive health markets so that people everywhere have sustained access to comprehensive quality and affordable SRH services.

This was done through a sequential exploratory design that incorporated desk reviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the SRH market landscape was assessed using the SEMA’s Healthy Markets Framework (HMF) tool. The project facilitated open dialogue on SRH commodities and services, fostering collaboration and addressing critical issues in the state. This concerted effort provided a clear and evidence-based understanding of the challenges at hand, allowing for focused interventions that directly address the most pressing needs of the community.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

In the year 2023, PSHAN initiated collaborations with public and private organizations, including the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Synlab. Our efforts extended to partnerships with notable funding organizations such as BMGF, AMREF, and Sanofi. Collaborating seamlessly with organizations like Pharm access and Halcyon, we successfully implemented high-quality programs aimed at making a meaningful impact.

Our active participation in key panel discussions at various health-focused events underscored our commitment to contributing to the broader health ecosystem. We were also invested in playing crucial roles in shaping important policy discussions. This was done by engaging in dialogues regarding policy. Focused on future opportunities, we strategically aligned with implementing agencies through partnerships to position our organization for upcoming grant opportunities. As proud members of the Nigerian UHC forum, PSHAN’s policy team emerged as a formidable voice. The team actively contributed to the creation of position papers that exerted influence on decisions within the policy space. This collective effort reflects our dedication to advancing impactful policies and initiatives for the betterment of the healthcare landscape in Nigeria.

CROSS CUTTING ENGAGEMENTS

The policy team continued to support the development of various policy and engagement briefs for different members of the PSHAN team. Our team continues to support the development of communiqués from PSHAN events that enhance visibility of the PSHAN brand. These events include the Annual PSHAN conference and PSHAN Annual Gala and Awards Night. The monthly newsletter is another niche that the team has carved out for herself so that the organization remains relevant in disseminating information that encourages Nigerians to take more responsibility for their health seeking behaviors and improve health indices in Nigeria in the long run.

BILL AND MELINDA GATE FOUNDATION (BMGF) FAMILY PLANNING (FP) SCOPING MISSION PROJECT

The Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria received funding by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to embark on a scoping mission on financing family planning commodities in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Bauchi states in Nigeria. The project aimed to identify and recommend successful public-private financing models in Nigeria that have potential for scalability by the BMGF in  2023/2024.

Achieving Nigeria’s FP goals and ensuring long-term commodity security down to the “last mile” requires a strong partnership between the public and private sectors as well as innovative and sustainable implementation and funding mechanisms to bridge current gaps. While implementing this project, a national stakeholder meeting to validate the findings from the field brought together multiple stakeholders at national, subnation and private sector including donor organizations. The project which will be concluded in the first quarter of this year will be making recommendations to be potentially funded that will ensure an improvement in the mean contraceptive prevalence in Nigeria to support the FP2030 target.

ABOUT ADHFP

The Adopt-A-Healthcare Facility Programme (ADHFP) stands as a testament to our commitment to revolutionising healthcare access and affordability across communities in Nigeria. Conceived with a visionary goal in mind, ADHFP seeks to adopt and standardise at least one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide.

At its core, ADHFP aims to directly benefit the people of Nigeria by enhancing access to essential healthcare services while simultaneously addressing critical health challenges such as maternal and infant mortality, and the prevalence of communicable diseases such tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. Through the standardisation of PHCs, we envision a transformed health system at the grassroot level, characterised by strengthened health information systems, enhanced service delivery, sustainable financing mechanisms, and bolstered governance capacity.

ADHFP is not merely about infrastructure; it is about empowering communities and promoting a culture of health and well-being. Through innovative funding mechanisms and strategic stakeholder engagement, we hope to cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility among all stakeholders, from government bodies to local communities, ensuring sustainable, longterm impact.

Central to the initiative is our commitment to introducing standard quality care, empowering service users, and harnessing the collective efforts of various stakeholders to drive positive change.

Ultimately, ADHFP is more than just a programme; it embodies our collective vision for a healthier, more resilient Nigeria. By providing essential medical care and healthcare attention to every Local Government Area (LGA), we strive to build a future where equitable access to healthcare is not just a privilege but a fundamental right for all Nigerians.

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation was also engaged to ramp up our

revitalization program in Edo State. The four (4) selected facilities include;

• Evbuodia PHC, Oredo LGA
• Uteh PHC, Ikpoba-Okha LGA
• Atoruru PHC, Owan-West LGA
• Idunmwungha PHC, Uhunmwode LGA

The above-mentioned PHCs were selected for revitalization based on pre-selected criteria such as service delivery capacity, strategic location and potential for success, availability of drugs, drainage, water and electricity among other factors. This was followed by further stakeholders engagements to deliver the report of the PHC assessment and to take steps towards PHC revitalization.

EVENTS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PSHAN Annual Conference, centered around establishing sustainable health systems in Nigeria, was strategically timed during a pivotal transition period. As the new administration was yet to outline its agenda for the next four years, the event was designed to address the pressing need to prioritize the well-being of Nigerians amid competing demands for limited resources. Acknowledging that the health and wellness of the population are fundamental drivers of economic growth, the PSHAN Annual Conference aimed to set a comprehensive framework for future health policies.

The event was held on the 20th and 22nd of June, and served as an invaluable platform for intellectual discourse. It facilitated discussions on various opportunities and strategies to be explored in the pursuit of achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria by 2030. Stakeholders and subject-matier experts convened to share insights and collectively emphasized that innovation and multi-sectoral collaboration are essential components of this transformative journey. The consensus was that a whole-of-society and government approach is paramount in realizing the goal of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that healthcare becomes accessible to all Nigerians.

PSHAN PERISCOPE

The PSHAN Periscope Webinar held on the 29th of March, 2023, brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of healthcare to explore and discuss the theme: “Improving Maternal Health through Innovative partnerships: Opportunities and challenges.”

This insightful and engaging webinar delved into the critical aspects of maternal health, focusing on the potential of innovative collaborations to address existing challenges. The outcomes will serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in Nigeria. The collaborative spirit fostered during the webinar is expected to pave the way for sustained efforts and partnerships in the ongoing journey to enhance maternal health across the country.