The Natview Foundation for Technology Innovation (NFTI) convened a one-day peer learning review and briefing session with health facility in-charges and key health officials from Makarfi Local Government Area (LGA), following nine comprehensive rounds of visits under its ongoing longitudinal study. The session served as a platform for sharing findings, validating data, building capacity, and proposing sustainable solutions for improving primary healthcare service delivery.
The meeting opened with remarks from the Makarfi LGA Health Secretary, who urged all participants to remain attentive and actively contribute to the dialogue. She emphasized the importance of peer learning and collaboration in tackling persistent gaps in healthcare systems.
The NFTI Senior Program Officer gave a detailed overview of the session’s objectives: to encourage mutual learning, examine field-level realities, validate existing data from the longitudinal study, and identify actionable solutions that address the challenges faced by health workers. Participants were reminded of the importance of data quality and consistent reporting to improve decision-making at all levels of the health system.
Findings presented from the nine rounds of visits, conducted between December 10, 2023, and May 8, 2024, highlighted several recurring challenges. These included non-functional Cold Chain Equipment (CCE), erratic electricity supply, inconsistencies in human resource data reporting, and frequent drug stock-outs. The session also spotlighted opportunities for improvement, such as the need for regular capacity building, improved communication flows, and timely stock requisitions.
Participants engaged in breakout group discussions where they reviewed the findings in depth, validated them against their experiences, and discussed common challenges across facilities. Staffing shortages, inadequate training, poor requisition practices, and lack of timely communication were among the most pressing issues raised.
To address some of these concerns, the LGA Cold Chain Officer held a capacity-building session, focusing on how to calculate stock levels accurately, recognize stock-out scenarios, and manage requisitions effectively. Participants engaged in practical exercises that enhanced their understanding of inventory control and accurate data entry.
The session concluded with closing remarks that acknowledged the significance of collaborative learning and peer feedback. Participants were encouraged to take the lessons learned back to their facilities and apply them to strengthen data reporting and service delivery.
NFTI reaffirmed its commitment to continue biweekly visits, collect quality data, and work closely with local facilities to provide technical support throughout the remaining rounds of the study.
