Emergency Medical Assistance for Host and Displaced Populations in Northeast Nigeria

The program aimed to provide comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) services to affected populations in Maiduguri, Jere, and Damboa Local Government Areas (LGAs). The program's main objective was to improve access to free comprehensive PHC services, including Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), for the affected population in the targeted areas. During the reporting period, Doctors of the World provided services to 265,751 unique beneficiaries, of which 53% were internally displaced persons (IDPs). The program exceeded its original target of 178,217 beneficiaries by 149%. The services provided included PHC and SRH services, nutrition services, integrated protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services, and GBV risk mitigation activities. The program also conducted mass outreach activities, which contributed to the deconstruction of harmful traditional beliefs and improving negative community behavioral practices. The program's health workforce was trained and supported to ensure quality provision of services. A total of 75 unique staff members, including 30 community mobilizers and 45 medical staff, were trained in compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols. The team provided weekly formal and informal on-the-job capacity building training to all medical staff and community mobilizers, including SMoH health staff at Azir and Gumsuri PHCCs. The training enhanced the quality of services across all units and delivered services to beneficiaries at DoTW clinics. The program implemented a robust referral system, which facilitated the referral process to provide lifesaving specialized services to beneficiaries. A total of 624 beneficiaries were referred to external referral centers, including UMTH, ICRC State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital (USUMH) Maiduguri, and other secondary and tertiary health care centers. The program also faced challenges in the safe referral of malnourished pregnant and lactating women due to the absence of implementing partners providing this service in the State. The program's implementation was affected by security challenges in Damboa, which slowed down service provision. However, the program's contingency planning ensured the safety of its staff and the continuity of the program through rotational trips from Maiduguri. The program's team continued to support the Azir and Gumsuri PHCCs remotely with medical equipment and drugs, and the MoH health facility staff with incentives and training sessions. The program's achievements were attributed to the mass outreach activities conducted post-COVID-19 government-imposed movement restrictions. The program's success was also due to the strong collaboration and synergies established with other implementing actors, including the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) and other health care centers. The program's results showed a significant improvement in access to free comprehensive PHC services, including SRH, for the affected population in the targeted areas.