 Nigeria
COUNTRY OVERVIEW AND PROJECT BACKGROUND
During the 1990s, Nigeria experienced marked declines in several health indicators that reflect the difficult economic and social situation the country experienced during this decade. With the return to democracy, Africa’s most populous nation (129 million) continues to confront serious health challenges. The TFR is high at 6.0, and 48 percent of the population is under age 15. Recent HIV infection rates among the general population are estimated at 5.8 percent and pockets of higher prevalence exist in several areas. Nigeria also remains one of five global reservoirs for the wild polio virus. Immunization rates for other diseases are low and high infant mortality is a persistent problem. Nigeria also has the largest number of women who have experienced female genital cutting (FGC) in the world, with an estimated 30 million, most of whom are in the South East and South West regions of the country. With the return to democratic rule, however, Nigeria is experiencing a revitalization of its health sector and commitment to restoring health for all at all levels--from the federal to local governments--and in both the public and private sectors.
HCP aimed to capitalize on this renewed energy within the health sector to address RH, HIV/AIDS, and child survival issues. Uniquely positioned in Nigeria to respond across sectors to emerging heath issues, HCP aimed to deliver a cohesive and coherent package of primary health care interventions to families and communities, while supporting health providers with capacity-building opportunities through a complimentary mix of interventions that would (1) build provider capacity to offer quality client-oriented services, (2) operationalize best practices in program planning and management to ensure sustainability; and (3) promote a social norm of the health provider as a trusted ally available to all.
ACTIVITIES
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