PMI-S GUC Project

Overview of the PMI-S GUC Project with Life Helpers Initiative (LHI)

Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, accounting for 25% of infant mortality and 30% of childhood mortality. Children under five and pregnant women are the most vulnerable populations. Plateau State, with significant malaria indices, faces additional challenges in areas affected by insecurity, necessitating focused interventions.

To address these issues, Life Helpers Initiative (LHI) partnered with Management Science for Health (MSH) to implement the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S) project. LHI’s engagement focused on improving malaria case management and healthcare delivery in four security-challenged Local Government Areas (LGAs)—Bassa, Bokkos, Jos East, and Riyom—covering 261 health facilities (primary and secondary) in Plateau State.

Overall Goal:
To reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality by enhancing facility monitoring and providing clinical mentoring for healthcare workers in inaccessible areas.

Strategies:

1. Routine Facility Monitoring:

   • Conducted regular visits to 252 public health facilities in the targeted LGAs to assess service delivery and identify gaps.

2. Onsite Mentoring and Capacity Building:

   • Provided tailored mentoring and training sessions for healthcare workers to address gaps identified during facility assessments.

3. Strengthening Capacity in Malaria Case Management:

   • Enhanced the knowledge and skills of health workers in malaria case management and improved documentation practices to ensure accurate data for decision-making.

Through these interventions, the PMI-S GUC project, in partnership with LHI, contributed significantly to improving malaria case management in Plateau State, even in areas facing security challenges. The project aligns with broader national efforts to reduce malaria burden and improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.