November 10, 2024
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Health News

How Women Are Changing the Face of Healthcare in Gombe State. 

By

Muhammad Jamil Abubakar

 

In the heart of Malam Sidi, the Headquarters of Kwami Local Government Area Of Gombe State, the dedication of two remarkable women, Zaliha Sulaiman and Amina Muhammad Galadima, is quietly transforming the lives of many.

 

These volunteer health workers tirelessly advocate for better healthcare practices and serve as chief agents of change in their communities.

 

Through house-to-house visits, Zaliha and Amina encourage women to embrace essential health services such as antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal care, and routine immunizations for their children.

 

Their work, though often unrecognized and underpaid, is making a significant impact on maternal and child health in the region.

 

For many women in Malam Sidi, visiting a primary healthcare facility (PHC) was once considered culturally inappropriate.

 

Traditional beliefs discouraged women from exposing their bodies to health professionals, making it challenging for them to access the care they needed during pregnancy and childbirth.

 

However, the situation began to change with the introduction of the Mama2Mama initiative, a UNICEF and GAVI-supported program aimed at improving maternal and child health through community engagement.

 

Zaliha and Amina, as engagement focal persons for this initiative, have played a pivotal role in shifting these deeply rooted cultural norms.

 

“It was difficult at first,” says Zaliha. “Women were hesitant to come to the clinics, but we kept visiting them, counseling them on the importance of healthcare. Now, many women come for antenatal visits, deliver in the clinics, and bring their children for immunizations.”

 

The women also promote family planning, personal hygiene, and the cessation of open defecation, which has been linked to frequent cases of diarrhea in the community.

 

As a result, the number of maternal deaths has significantly decreased, and there has been a drastic reduction in cases of HIV and tuberculosis, as women are now more willing to undergo testing and counseling.

 

However, their work is not without challenges. Despite being on the front lines of healthcare delivery, Zaliha and Amina, along with 12 other volunteers, receive a meager monthly stipend of five thousand naira, which is often delayed for several months.

 

“We are not deterred by the lack of pay because we love what we do,” Amina says, “But it is hard, especially with the current economic situation. Sometimes we use our own money for transport to reach different communities.”

 

The financial burden has not stopped these dedicated women from reaching out to those in need, but it has made their work more difficult.

 

With only 14 volunteers serving all the communities in and around Malam Sidi, they are stretched thin.

 

“We need more hands,” Zaliha explains. “There are so many places to cover, and we can’t do it alone. Additional financial support would also help us do our work more effectively.”

 

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, has been a constant source of support, providing encouragement and assistance to the volunteers.

 

The state government, UNICEF, and GAVI have also shown a commitment to strengthening primary healthcare facilities across the state, which Zaliha and Amina deeply appreciate.

 

The impact of these women extends far beyond the statistics. They have succeeded in breaking barriers and reshaping attitudes toward maternal and child health.

 

As more women seek healthcare services, the incidence of home births, a common practice has declined.

 

Skilled birth attendants now oversee most deliveries at the PHCs, ensuring safer childbirth experiences.

 

Despite the cultural hurdles they have faced, Zaliha and Amina have managed to persuade families to embrace modern healthcare practices, including exclusive breastfeeding and routine child immunization.

 

They share stories of challenging encounters, such as convincing families to allow women to access healthcare and adhere to recommended breastfeeding practices.

 

Yet, with perseverance and constant counseling, they have made significant strides in changing these attitudes.

 

The story of Zaliha Sulaiman and Amina Muhammad Galadima is one of resilience, dedication, and hope.

 

They embody the spirit of community health work, advocating for women and children, often at great personal cost.

 

Their call for additional support, both in terms of manpower and financial resources, highlights the need for greater investment in grassroots healthcare initiatives.

 

In a society where cultural and economic challenges often hinder access to healthcare, these women are leading the way to a healthier future.

 

Their work may be quiet and uncelebrated, but for the many mothers and children in Malam Sidi, it is nothing short of heroic.

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