By Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim, Executive Administrator (CHR).
CHR founded in 2000 by a renowned public health expert and advocate, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba has recorded tremendous outcome with over a 25 year history, has worked tirelessly to improve quality of health care for women, children and communities across Nigeria, with a particular focus on Maternal, Newborn and child health (MNCH), through advocacy, mobilization, training, research and information sharing, driving policies and programs that make a tangible impact.
The Executive Administrator of the Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim, officially inaugurated a Planning Committee at the AHBN building in Kano State, marking the formal commencement of preparations for the celebration of CHR’s Silver Jubilee.
The inauguration also coincided with the committee’s maiden meeting, setting the stage for strategic planning of the upcoming anniversary activities, which will reflect 25 years of service, impact, and commitment to communities.
The Planning Committee is made up of dedicated individuals who will steer the Silver Jubilee planning.
They include:
- Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello – Chairman
- Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim – Secretary
- Salisu Yusuf – Member
- Abigail Ogah – Member
- Abdulkareem Abdulwasiu – Member
- Abdullahi Muhammad Salisu – Member
- Sulaiman Jalo – Member
- Khadija Ammani – Member
- Aftahana Sarina – Member
- Zainab Nasir Ahmad – Member
- Khadija Aliyu – Member
- Barr. Nura Ahmad – Member
- Abdulwahab Said Ahmad – Member
Nafisa Shehu stated that over the years, CHR has collaborated with donors and partners both internationally and locally to implement various projects aimed at improving health outcomes in communities, further strengthening its impact and reach across the country.
She then enumerated some of Its key achievements which include:
- Implementation of impactful health projects across Kano and other states.
- Establishing a reputation for transparency and accountability in project management.
- Pioneering the use of health budget scorecards by civil society organizations (CSOs) to monitor Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) funding.
- Enhancing MNCH and overall health sector budget performance in 10 states and at the national level.
- Advocacy for the establishment of key state-level health agencies, including State Healthcare Trust Fund (Bauchi and Kano), State Contributory Health Management Agency (Bauchi and Kano), Private Health Institutions Management Agency (Kano), Kano State Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospitals Board.
- Successful advocacy for the inclusion of Heat Stable Carbetocin in the Nigerian National Essential Drug List for treating postpartum hemorrhage.
The CHR Executive Administrator said that the anniversary will feature a series of activities, including the unveiling of the anniversary banner, a monthly budget dialogue session symbolic of the anniversary celebration, one episode of the Hasken Matasa radio program dedicated to the anniversary, visit to a vulnerable home for health talk and provision of sanitary items, and an anniversary lunch.
However she said that the anniversary lunch will involve the inauguration of the CHR steering committee, sharing of success stories, presentation of distinguished awards, and other celebratory activities.
CHR is a national non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in Kano in the year 2001 and incorporated by the corporate Affairs commission in 2003.
