PRESS RELEASE

CHAN COMMENCES HER NEW FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP

The Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) has concluded her strategic plan workshop preparatory for the next five years, spanning between January 2023 to December 2027. The strategic planning workshop which was conducted at Kini Country Guest House, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, between 23rd and 28th October, 2022 was borne out of the desire to reposition CHAN to her former glory and align her activities with the desires of the founding fathers of CHAN. To resonate with this desire and the need for the strategic plan, the President, Col. Dr. Andrew Imoge in his welcome speech posited: “As president of CHAN, I have had sleepless nights over the fact that I inherited CHAN structures without a strategic plan. With my military and medical background, every war/campaign requires a strategic plan. As healthcare workers, before treating, we are trained to draw up a plan carefully. Against that backdrop, I’m indeed the happiest person today to be in your midst to midwife the delivery (development) of a five year (2023-2027) Strategic Plan that would provide the future direction and focus for CHAN to enhance her performance, impact and sustainability.

Group Photograph of Participants at CHAN Strategic Workshop at Kini Country Guest Inn, Akwanga. Front Row Centre is Col. Dr. Andrew Imoge (Rtd) 6^th from the right, flanked by Sir Dr. Joseph Fomwul, First Vice President, and extreme Left is the Secretary General, Mr. Mchael Idah, Ms Esther Sunday, Mr Chris Amasi, Mrs Joyce Madanga, Dr. Daniel Gobgab and Mr. Sunday Musa, the Consultant.

Training Of Health Care Workers On Stigma And Discrimination Against Hiv/Aids

A total of 50 Health Care Workers representing Christians and Muslim facilities were trained on how to end HIV Stigma and Discrimination in their facilities in tandem with UNAIDS 95:95:95: Target of ending HIV and AIDS by 2030. The Training was conducted for 3days for Health Care Workers(HCWs) on ending HIV Stigma and Discrimination. Participants were selected from 5 States namely: Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue and Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). Facilitators were drawn from external sources and amongst staff. The Training Manual CHAN developed for the Country, tagged : Ending HIV Stigma and Discrimination: ‘’A Training Curriculum for Facilitators in Public and Faith-Based settings.’’ was used as the training guide. A copy of this manual was given to all participants to be use also at the facility.

Training Of Health Care Worker

Participants were guided through current HIV situation in Nigeria; Basic information on HIV & AIDS, Understanding S&D in Health Facility by HCWs, S&D against PLPHIV, Faith- Based and Community Response to Eliminating S&D, Responses of HCW to S &D in Health Care facilities, Rights and Safety in Faith Based Health Care settings. Removing S&D from Faith Based Health Care settings, Developing Code of Conduct and Policies for health Care facilities, Human Rights of PLPHIV and Key Populations, Standard Precautions (Infection Control) and M&E Learning. HCW were also made to understand Confidentiality as key in their practice and for clients choosing to visit the facility. The use of drama, case study and group exercises were used to bring to bear issues surrounding Stigmatization of People Living Positively(PLPHIV) in the Health Facilities. Pre and post- test were administered before and after the training to access the knowledge of participants before the training and acquired knowledge about S&D after the training.

group photographys

Participants share that; 1. It was an eye opener for a lot of them who it is their first time to attend trainings like this, they share personal experiences they have had in the cause of their work, where they have stigmatized against clients unknowingly 2. They promise to put to practice best practices on handling client’s confidentiality and rights. 3. Put to practice Standard Operating Precaution always. 4. Begin Integrated Services in their facilities Among the future plans and further implementation, participants are expected to step down training in their various facilities and practicalise their work plans and code of conduct monitored for proper implementation. Assessment

Annual Report 2021/2022

126 Oxygen concentrators distributed to CHAN MIs to combat the impact COVID-19 courtesy of DIFAEM. One hundred (100) MIs received free IPC materials and various PPE donations courtesy ACHAP/IMA and DIFAEM towards protecting lives of Healthcare Workers and improving/controlling infections in the health facilities and communities. Provided training on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) to over 200 Healthcare Workers in Nigeria. Ten (10) Motorized Boreholes provided for 10 CHAN MIs that had challenges of potable water supply in the four zones of CHAN to help promote hand hygiene, courtesy of ACHAP and IMA World Health. CHAN and NPHCDA successfully signed an MOU to reach out to vulnerable Nigerians. CHAN in collaboration with ACHAP/UNAIDS and NACA produced for Nigeria a training Manual titled: Ending HIV and AIDS Stigma and Discrimination: A training Curriculum for Facilitators in Public and Faith-Based Settings. CHAN contributed significantly in reducing S&D against HIV and AIDS in Nigeria by training Health Care Workers and Religious leaders. 98 Heads f CHAN MIs and CHAN officials were trained in effective Lobbying and Advocacy. Provided training on effective corporate governance & leadership and effective lobbying & advocacy for BOT and members. 48 MIs were served by VA through CHAN, 1,027,700 people were reached specifically with Micro-nutrients vitamins for pregnant women and Albendazole for de-worming children.

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