50% of SFH’s programme beneficiaries are the poor.

50% of rural pregnant women and children under 5 sleep under long lasting insecticide treated nets in at least two focus states.
Modern contraceptive prevalence rate increases from 11% to 16%.

Consistent condom use among high risk groups increases by 20%.

SFH MISSION

Society for Family Health has a mission to empower Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable to lead healthier lives...more 

Society for Family Health (SFH) supports passage of National
Health Bill

After nearly seven years of horse-trading, negotiations and discussions, the National Assembly finally passed the much anticipated National Health Bill. The momentous day was Thursday May 19, 2011. 

The Bill received the attention of the Senate after a protracted, determined and concerted effort by a coalition of partners that included Society for Family Health that became more of a pressure group and was led by the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems phase II (PATHS2) Programme. SFH has been a major supporter of the PATHS2 initiative as demonstrated by the material and logistics support it availed the coalition during the recent rally that galvanized the National Assembly into action.

The rally in itself was a study in how to achieve given objectives through peaceful demonstration and lobbying. The SFH supported event witnessed the assembly of over 5000 core activists, all members of the coalition, with a firm determination to get their message across to the National Assembly.

Besides SFH, the PATHS2 led coalition comprised the following organisations:

• Anglican Communion
• Federation of Muslim Woman Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN)
• Health Reform Foundation, (HERFON)
• National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)
• International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
• IPAS
• Market Women Association
• National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
• Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
• Save the Children Nigeria

Drawing strength from the series of consistent meetings at the PATHS2 Abuja office, the coalition set out to make history and indeed they achieved their objective. The passing of the National Health Bill was worth every sacrifice that went into the organising of the mass rally to the National Assembly.

The successful passing of the bill will indeed set the tone for the proper and complete overhaul of the Nigerian health system towards the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and improvement in the health system through appropriate funding mechanisms.

The National Health Bill provides guidelines that guarantee fairness in resource allocation, assures efficiency, allows access to healthcare services, reduces financial and physical barriers and ensures community participation. SFH will continue to provide support and key leadership in this objective as it touches on its commitment to promoting healthy living and making products and services, including basic education, available to Nigerians.

Getting the Health Bill approval in the National Assembly is one thing, managing and weaning it to successful implementation is another. Coming thus far, the coalition cannot afford to rest on its oars. New strategies would have to be deployed to ensure its proper implementation. Doing this will improve the quality of health services delivery in Nigeria.

Society for Family Health “…Creating Change, Enhancing Lives”