MPI’s First Small Grant Partnership in Nigeria

Article by Larry Granat, Director of International Advocacy and Engagement, Malaria Partners International 

For our first project in Nigeria, we partnered with the RC Abayi-Aba on a project aimed at improving the lives of pregnant women, new mothers, and their children under 5 years. Clinics were held at two healthcare centers on days when these women were especially encouraged to visit. At the clinics, they received bednets, health talks, and malaria screening. The program was administered by the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology with support from club Rotarians. Both clinics offer 24-hour medical consulting, malaria diagnosis and medicines, and birthing.

In addition, market vendors at the Umungasi and Afor vegetable and food markets received bednets and health talks on malaria prevention. Many of these vendors are reluctant to leave their stands to visit health centers so the messages were brought to them. The clinics will measure future clinic attendance by these pregnant women and nursing mothers.