Health Impact/Sales The practical nature of WaterGuard and its easy-to-use capability
has made it a success in its first year on the Nigerian market. Since being launched in November 2004, total protection offered by WaterGuard, measured as a function of person years of protection and child diarrhoea deaths averted, have both increased. WaterGuard sales have also increased since its introduction, a prime indicator that Nigerian communities have been receptive to the product.

Donors SFH’s SWS programme currently receives funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the auspices of the CDC. SFH is continually looking to expand the breadth of its SWS programming and promote the importance of safe water to larger portions of the Nigerian population.

Specific Activities Cholera Emergency Cholera remains a critical area of concern in Nigeria and is responsible for 11% of under 5 mortality. SFH has been able to respond to cholera outbreaks in nine states by distributing WaterGuard and training health workers in the affected areas on cholera preparedness. To further strengthen the capability to respond effectively to outbreaks of cholera in Nigeria, SFH, in collaboration with CDC/PSI Washington and the Federal Ministry of Health, is embarking on the training of health workers at the zone level. In December 2005, SFH and its partners conducted a workshop to develop a nucleus of trained health workers knowledgeable in cholera preparedness and response. The training workshops held in Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, and Kwoi, all proved to be highly effective. In each case participants tested at higher levels of safe water and cholera knowledge after the workshop than prior to the sessions. This project is indicative of SFH’s desire and ability to establish working relationships with State Ministry of Health, community members, and SFH local offices.

SFH will continue to support these four regions by ensuring local offices are equipped with the adequate resources and constant availability of product. A cascade of trainings to additional health workers and community organisations will ensure the ability of these zones to respond during the 2006 cholera season. If additional funds are available, SFH intends to scale up this project to partner with Ministry of Health on a national level.