In a significant step towards strengthening the healthcare system and promoting safer family health practices, the Society for Family Health (SFH) has equipped 824 healthcare providers in Katsina State with essential skills and tools to deliver quality sexual and reproductive health services.

This milestone was unveiled at the SFH-DISC 2.0 Katsina Biannual Stakeholders Meeting. SFH leadership, government officials, traditional rulers, and development partners gathered to review progress and deepen collaboration on improving the state’s maternal and child health outcomes.

In their opening remarks on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr. Omokhudu Idogho, and the SFH-DISC 2.0 Project Lead, Dr. Anthony Nwala, they highlighted how the Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC) 2.0 project, funded by the Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) with technical support from Population Services International (PSI), is transforming access to self-care and child spacing solutions in Katsina.

“Through DISC 2.0, we have prioritised the building of frontline providers. Today, 824 health workers are better equipped to offer counselling for choice, empathy-based care, and accurate information to women and families seeking healthy child spacing options,” Dr. Nwala stated.

To sustain this impact, all Local Government Area Maternal and Child Health Coordinators have been trained and provided with electronic checklists to ensure regular supportive supervision and mentorship for the trained providers.

Represented by Mr Michael Titus, SFH also strengthened the community link by training Health Promotion Officers from 28 LGAs and mobilising Demand Generation Agents at the grassroots level to raise awareness, engage men, and bring services closer to women in hard-to-reach areas.

In addition to building human resources, SFH is leveraging technology and data systems to monitor service quality, community outreach, and progress towards reducing unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths in the state.

Government officials at the meeting commended SFH for aligning the DISC 2.0 project with Katsina’s Annual Operational Plan (AOP) and broader national health goals, including the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).

“This collaboration demonstrates how strategic partnerships and investment in health workers can directly save lives and empower our women,” said Dr. Musa Adamu Funtua, the commissioner for health, while pledging continued state support.

As stakeholders renewed their commitment to child spacing and self-care innovations, SFH emphasised that empowerment and communities remain key to sustaining positive health outcomes and building a healthier Katsina for future generations.