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 second week of March 2025 (10th to 14th).
Maternal Health: 244 women attended antenatal and postnatal care sessions (132 in Bama and 112 in Dikwa), ensuring they received vital health education, monitoring, and support. Skilled birth attendants safely conducted 26 deliveries in Bama and 10 in Dikwa, bringing the total to 36 deliveries. In addition, 456 children were tested and referred for moderate and severe acute malnutrition (276 in Bama and 180 in Dikwa). To support safe childbirth, 36 delivery kits were distributed (26 in Bama and 10 in Dikwa).
Community Outreach and Healthcare Support: Mobile medical teams reached 3,395 individuals in camp and host communities (2,417 in Bama and 978 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 1,298 individuals (903 in Bama and 395 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 881 individuals (661 in Bama and 220 in Dikwa). Under this approach, three motorized campaign sessions using jingles were conducted in each LGA, reinforcing previously addressed health topics. In addition, 461 persons with disabilities (410 in Bama and 51 in Dikwa) received essential healthcare services.
Nutritional Pap Support: A total of 40 individuals (20 women and 20 children under five) were reached with health education on the importance of nutrition pap for the body. The session covered how to use locally available grains to prepare nutritious pap, with a step-by-step demonstration that allowed women to take ownership of the process. The prepared pap was cooked and served to children identified as MAM/SAM, while the remaining powder was shared with the women for continued use at home.
Hygiene and Malaria Prevention: AHI distributed 358 hygiene kits (160 in Bama and 198 in Dikwa) and provided 780 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (500 in Bama and 280 in Dikwa) to pregnant and lactating women as well as children under five.
Commemorating International Women’s Day 2025: In commemoration of IWD 2025, AHI conducted a two-day sensitization in Bama under the DELIVER HER project, focusing on gender protection, menstrual health, and PSEAH. Adolescent girls and women engaged in discussions on gender equality, safety, and menstrual rights, breaking taboos and fostering confidence. Hygiene kits were distributed to 50 girls and 50 women, addressing menstrual hygiene needs. Participants expressed gratitude and called for expanded interventions to support more women and girls.
Impact Highlights
Success Story
Beyond Survival: How Healthcare Access is Changing Fulatari IDP Camp
For years, the over 3,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Fulatari IDP Camp in Dikwa Local Government Area, Borno state, struggled with limited access to healthcare, frequent disease outbreaks, and a lack of essential health information. With limited reliable medical facilities, preventable illnesses often went untreated for many, and maternal health services within the camp were almost nonexistent.
“For a long time, we have had limited access to quality healthcare,” says Abba Mohammed, the 53-year-old chairman of Fulatari Camp. “When someone fell sick, they either had to visit the overcrowded INTERSOS facility, suffer in silence, or seek help outside the camp, which was difficult and expensive,” Abba adds.
A beacon of hope emerged through the intervention of the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) project, implemented by Action Health Incorporated (AHI). This project aimed at delivering lifesaving health and nutrition assistance during the lean season. By deploying mobile medical teams, providing essential drugs, and enhancing maternal and reproductive health services, the initiative has transformed healthcare access in Flatari Camp. Additionally, it has strengthened Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) through health education and community dialogues while bolstering protection services for the most vulnerable, particularly women and adolescent girls.
“With NHF and AHI’s intervention, access to healthcare has significantly improved through the deployment of mobile medical teams, bringing essential services directly to Fulatari Camp,” Abba affirms. “The mobile health teams offer free consultations, diagnosis, and treatment for common illnesses, ensuring that residents no longer have to endure untreated ailments.”
The provision of high-quality drugs at the mobile clinics has been instrumental in improving community health. “The drugs being provided at the mobile clinic are of high quality and have been of great help within the camp,” Abba emphasizes.
One of the most impactful aspects of the intervention has been maternal health support. Previously, pregnant women lacked access to safe delivery services, putting both mothers and newborns at risk. Today, expectant mothers receive free delivery kits, ensuring a safer birthing experience.
Beyond direct medical care, the initiative prioritized strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE). Through house-to-house sensitizations and motorized campaigns, using culturally appropriate Information Communication and Education (IEC) materials, the project increased awareness about disease prevention, hygiene practices, and protection against gender-based violence.
“We now understand the importance of hygiene, visiting healthcare facilities for diagnosis and treatments, and other very important information,” Abba explains.
Abba’s unwavering leadership has been instrumental in ensuring the success of these interventions. As part of his personal commitment, he is actively involved in community mobilization, ensuring that people participate in health awareness sessions and medical outreach programs.
“Whenever there is a motorized campaign or mobile clinic activity, I make sure I am there to maintain order and encourage everyone to take part,” he says.
His presence at outreach sites has fostered a sense of trust and coordination, ensuring that those in need receive medical care without delay.
“Personally, I am most grateful to NHF and AHI for this support,” Abba says. “Pregnant women from my camp now get free delivery kits, and adolescent girls receive hygiene kits; what more can I say? We are very grateful.”
While challenges persist, the people of Fulatari IDP Camp now have access to essential healthcare and vital health education, changes that are saving lives every day. This intervention has not only provided immediate relief but has also laid the foundation for a more resilient and healthier community.
Abba Mohammed supports the AHI mobile medical team during activities
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