Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), remains committed to providing essential healthcare services to vulnerable populations in Bama and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State. Significant progress was recorded across multiple intervention areas during the fourth week of February 2025 (February 24–28).
Maternal Health: A total of 191 women attended antenatal and postnatal care sessions, 90 in Bama and 101 in Dikwa, ensuring they received vital health education, monitoring, and support. Skilled birth attendants safely conducted 17 deliveries in Bama and 45 in Dikwa. In addition, 213 children were tested and referred for moderate and severe acute malnutrition (106 in Bama and 107 in Dikwa). To support safe childbirth, 78 delivery kits were distributed (19 in Bama and 59 in Dikwa).
Community Outreach and Healthcare Support: Mobile medical teams reached 1,721 individuals in camp and host communities (1,138 in Bama and 583 in Dikwa), ensuring that life-saving services were delivered where they were most needed. Additionally, facility-based healthcare support in IDP camps extended services to 731 individuals (466 in Bama and 265 in Dikwa).
Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): RCCE efforts continued to focus on raising awareness of disease prevention, hygiene promotion, reproductive health, nutrition, and protection against gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. Health education and promotion sessions reached 899 individuals (687 in Bama and 212 in Dikwa). Under this approach, three motorized campaign sessions using jingles, reinforcing previously addressed health topics, were conducted in each LGA. In Dikwa, these sessions took place in Agric IDP camp, Fulutari IDP camp, and Sangaya IDP camp, reaching an estimated 2,457 individuals, while in Bama, similar sessions were held in the Kasugula, Shehuri, and Bulama Mohammed areas of the GDSS IDP camp, reaching approximately 2,800 individuals. In addition, 264 persons with disabilities (233 in Bama and 31 in Dikwa) received essential healthcare services.
Hygiene and Malaria Prevention: AHI distributed 193 hygiene kits (65 in Bama and 128 in Dikwa) and provided 701 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (393 in Bama and 308 in Dikwa) to pregnant and lactating women as well as children under five.
Impact Highlights
Success Story
“Clean hands keep us strong” – Rahamatu’s Story
For vulnerable children like Rahamatu Aliyu, a 12-year-old girl who resides in Sangaya IDP camp, Dikwa LGA, Borno state, living in remote or displaced communities, access to clean water and hygiene education is often scarce. Yet, these simple practices are lifesaving. According to the World Health Organization, handwashing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by up to 50%, a leading cause of death among children under five.
With vital support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), Action Health Incorporated’s sensitization programs have been instrumental in bridging this gap. Through their efforts, Rahamatu and other children in the camp have learned the critical steps of handwashing.
“Clean hands keep us strong. Now I know to wash my hands before eating and after using the toilet,” she says, her voice filled with determination. “I want to teach everyone in the camp so we can all stay healthy.”
Rahamatu’s story demonstrates the importance of hygiene education in remote areas. “I feel proud when I show others how to wash their hands properly,” she adds. Her actions have had a ripple effect, spreading knowledge and protection throughout her community. Her smile radiates hope, a testament to the transformative power of good hygiene practices.
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