ICSA Project Drives Community-based Action To Improve Child Health In States

Commissioners for Health, Executive Secretaries of state health agencies, and other key health stakeholders gathered in Abuja to discuss strategies to strengthen primary healthcare at the state level and improve child survival outcomes.

The meeting, themed “Integrated Child Survival Advocacy at the Last Mile (ICSA),” focused on policy priorities, financing, and accountability mechanisms for health agencies at both state and local government levels. Participants included federal health officers, development partners, and civil society representatives.

The ICSA project is currently being piloted in six states aimed at testing interventions to improve child health and survival. The initiative is supported by the Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative and Civil Society in Making Control Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN).

ICSA Project Lead, Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje, said the engagement is part of a broader effort to strengthen public health systems and leadership, with a focus on evidence-based advocacy, intergovernmental coordination, and sustainable financing for primary healthcare.

“The discussions will focus on practical actions states can take to improve service delivery at the last mile and reinforce accountability to communities,” Mabogunje said, adding that the project would advocate for adequate resources to enable every child to enjoy a good quality of life.

Dr. Fatima Adamu highlighted that the five pilot states were selected due to concerning child survival indicators. She explained that the project aims to empower communities to demand quality child health services from state health agencies.

“This initiative is critical to improving health services at the community level. We are determined to take this advocacy to mothers and children, ensuring that immunization and malaria prevention services reach every child.

“In some states, immunization coverage is as low as 20 per cent due to hesitancy. We must improve this while also addressing preventable illnesses like malaria, which continue to claim many young lives,” Adamu said.

Commissioner for Health in Sokoto State, Dr. Farouk Abubakar,

shared the challenges his state faces with high maternal and infant mortality rates. He emphasized the need for targeted strategies to reduce these deaths and commended the Federal Ministry of Health and the ICSA project for their efforts.

“Our government is already addressing the factors driving high maternal and infant mortality, but we need continued support and innovative interventions to save more lives,” Abubakar said.

The ICSA initiative represents a coordinated effort to enhance child health outcomes, strengthen state healthcare systems, and ensure that communities play an active role in monitoring and demanding essential health services.