A Royal Heritage Health Foundation Initiative
At Royal Heritage Health Foundation, our mission is clear: to promote the quality of life for women, children, and young people by improving access to and delivery of quality education, healthcare services, and livelihoods with supportive infrastructure in humanitarian and development settings across Africa. This mission pushes us to move closely to the communities and know their existing needs in order to work towards making sure that every individual who so wishes lives a happy and healthy productive life.
According to Parsons et al (1998), health outreach to the community is not only about providing health services but includes the elements of creating trust, working in collaboration, and working with people on a personal level. It’s understanding the peculiarities of every specific community and finding solutions. Our attitude to the outreach programs is that enhanced health will only be achieved if the community takes responsibility for the maintenance of its health status.
Malaria Sensitization in Ilorin:
A Collaborative Effort
One of our impactful initiatives was the malaria sensitization campaign conducted in Ilorin, Kwara State. This outreach was more than just an educational effort—it was a collaborative life-saving intervention. Working closely with the local community, we provided crucial information in both English and Yoruba, ensuring that everyone, regardless of language barriers, could understand the importance of malaria prevention. This campaign wasn’t just about disseminating information; it was about engaging with community members, listening to their concerns, and addressing misconceptions. The result was a stronger, more informed community equipped with the knowledge to prevent malaria and protect their families.
Strengthening Support for Survivors
Under the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Royal Heritage Health Foundation has been instrumental in providing continuous post-comprehensive Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. Our efforts are centered on the One Stop Centres in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, where survivors of GBV can access holistic care and support. These centers are not just places of treatment; they are safe havens where individuals find compassion, understanding, and the tools they need to rebuild their lives.
Intensive trainings are organised in Borno State for mobile outreach workers and non-GBV frontline service providers. This trainings equip participants with essential skills in the Clinical Management of Rape, Case Management, GBV minimum standards, legal assistance, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). By strengthening the capacity of these workers, we ensure that survivors receive the best possible care and support, fostering resilience and recovery within their communities.
Mobilizing Communities for Polio Eradication:
In partnership with the International Medical Corps (IMC), Royal Heritage Health Foundation is actively involved in the Polio Eradication Initiative. This critical project focuses on mobilizing communities and ensuring that every child is protected against this debilitating disease. Our Volunteers Community Mobilisers (VCMs) are at the heart of this effort, conducting house-to-house sensitization on polio immunization. They engage directly with caregivers to dispel myths, record child immunizations, track pregnant women, and register births to ensure newborns receive timely vaccinations.
Additionally, we facilitate Ward Development Community and Village Development Committee (WDC/VDC) meetings across the 10 CGPP Implementing Local Government Areas (LGAs). These meetings provide mentorship to our volunteers and ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of our interventions, reinforcing the foundation of our polio eradication efforts.
Safeguarding Against Emerging Threats
Under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), our team is dedicated to safeguarding communities against zoonotic diseases. Throughout the reporting period, we conducted weekly documentation of these diseases across CGPP LGAs. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, we also held Town Hall Meetings with community informants across focal LGAs in Borno. These meetings, facilitated by the CGPP Secretariat and supported by local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), provided a platform to address gaps in our global health security efforts, ensuring that our strategies remain effective and responsive to emerging health threats.
Building a Healthier Future Together
At Royal Heritage Health Foundation, community health outreach is a collaborative journey. It’s about more than just providing services; it’s about working side by side with communities to create a healthier future. By bringing health education, prevention, and care directly to communities, we are not only improving health outcomes but also empowering individuals to lead healthier, more resilient lives. Our work is a testament to the power of partnership, dedication, and the unwavering belief that every person deserves access to quality health care. As we continue our journey, we remain committed to building healthier, stronger communities, one outreach at a time.
