WVRD/Nigeria : final evaluation -- Ogbomoso South : child survival project

This project is an excellent example of the potential for working though PVOs to encourage community, local NGO, and local government collaboration. Targets were surpassed with regard to immunization coverage, control of diarrheal disease, nutrition and growth monitoring, and family planning. Targets for percentage of births attended by a trained person and for malaria prevention were not met, although progress was made. Local communities demonstrated a remarkable capacity and willingness to work with the project. Community Development Committees described dramatic reductions in morbidity and mortality for fever, convulsions, diarrhea, measles, and bleeding at birth. Almost all of the interventions can be sustained by the communities with a minimum of supervision and in-service training from a local NGO (the Baptist Medical Center) and the local government. However, the immunization program, which the community considers the most important intervention, requires technical resources and support not available at the community level. Meetings with the implementing partners during the final evaluation demonstrated that the elements and commitment for sustaining the program are available, but have yet to be fully implemented. The next year will determine if co-management of health services by communities, local government, and local NGOs can be firmly established and sustained. The results of this effort could establish an important model of collaboration for other areas of Nigeria. Included among the appendices is a report on a 9/96 Knowledge, Practice, and Coverage Survey showing that project objectives were in many instances met or exceeded.