The Alive and Thrive Implementation Research Project on Implementing an Urban Private Sector Model of IYCF Counselling in Private Health Facilities in Lagos State

This IR is managed by FHI 360 and will be conducted by Equitable Health Access Initiative from February 2019 to June, 2020. Equitable Health Access Initiative is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to engage and build the capacity of 10 private health facilities to deliver a package of high quality breastfeeding support services on EIBF and EBF to pregnant women and mothers with children 0-6 months. The project will also reach fathers and other influential family members (grandmothers and mothers-in-law) with customized package of high quality breastfeeding support messages.

The core goals of the IR are to document feasibility of implementing a standard package of IYCF counselling and support for pregnant women and mothers who use private health facilities in Lagos to improve early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding and to generate evidence on the impact of implementing the IYCF package on Exclusive Breastfeeding practices.

The objectives of the Implementation Research project are to:
Build the capacity of 100% of Healthcare Workers in the ANC, Delivery, Immunization and Paediatric OPD to provide high quality EIBF and EBF counselling services to pregnant women and women with children 0-6 months based on the main elements of WHO’s BFHI guidelines.

• Reach 80% of pregnant women and women with children 0-6 months with high quality Knowledge and Skills on EIBF and EBF counselling services based on the main elements of WHO’s BFHI guidelines.
• Reach 80% of pregnant women and women with children 0-6 months with high quality phone messages on the benefits and how to practice of EIBF and EBF based on the main elements of WHO’s BFHI guidelines.
• Reach 60% of fathers, grandmothers and mothers-in-law with high quality messages on the benefits of EIBF and EBF and how they can support the mother based on the main elements of WHO’s BFHI guidelines.

In a bid to achieve the goals and objectives of the IR by June 2020, 10 private health facilities are being supported to deliver a package of high quality breastfeeding support services and ensure integration of these services within services provided at the selected facilities.

The Alive & Thrive IR project enables EHAI to contribute towards achievement of SDGs 2 and 3. Download full project report here Alive and Thrive Final Project Report_June, 2020

By conducting these Operational Research, EHAI  contributed towards achievement of  the following SDG targets and goals.

Target 3.b of SDG 3 which is to support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.

Target 3.7 of SDG 3 which is to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

Target 3.7 of SDG 3 which is to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.

Our commitment, consistency and track record working across multiple pro SDGs projects provide us with valuable experience and proven expertise to largely contribute to national and global efforts for the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. EHAI will consistently demonstrate this commitment through strategic implementation of projects and initiatives as well as building value based partnerships with the international and national development community.