The Society for Family Health (SFH), in collaboration with the, has trained 122 frontline health workers to strengthen HIV service delivery across primary healthcare facilities in Taraba State.
The training, conducted under the Paediatric Breakthrough Partnership (PBP) project, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services as donor-funded programmes gradually transition to full government ownership.
Officials say the initiative marks a significant step in integrating HIV services into routine primary healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when global health funding is shifting towards country-led systems.
Strengthening HIV Services at Primary Healthcare Level
Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the Project Director, Dr Aisha Dadi, said the training was designed to enhance the capacity of health workers to deliver integrated HIV services across primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in the state.
According to her, the programme targeted 122 health workers drawn from 37 PHC facilities across all 16 local government areas (LGAs) of Taraba State.
She explained that the intervention focused on improving service delivery in high-burden and high-impact locations, ensuring that communities with the greatest healthcare needs benefit from strengthened HIV and maternal health services.
“The training enhanced the capacity of frontline health workers drawn from 37 PHC facilities across all 16 LGAs of Taraba State to deliver integrated HIV services,” she said.
Dr Dadi noted that the initiative was implemented under the Paediatric Breakthrough Partnership (PBP), a programme designed to improve early detection and treatment of HIV among children and vulnerable populations while strengthening maternal health systems.
Transition from Donor Dependency to Government Ownership
A key objective of the project, according to SFH, is to support the transition from donor-funded vertical HIV programmes to a more sustainable, government-led health system.
Dr Dadi explained that SFH is working closely with the Taraba State Government to ensure that HIV service delivery becomes fully integrated into primary healthcare systems rather than operating as standalone interventions.
She said this approach reflects a broader shift in global health programming, where sustainability, local ownership, and integration are becoming central priorities.
“Following a state-led co-creation process that established an integration blueprint for HIV services within primary healthcare, SFH supported the Taraba State Government in operationalising this vision through targeted capacity-building for frontline health workers,” she said.
According to her, the training represents the practical implementation of a jointly developed strategy aimed at embedding HIV services within existing healthcare structures.
Targeting High-Burden Communities
Dr Dadi disclosed that the selection of participating health facilities was based on data-driven criteria, including client volume, service utilisation, and disease burden.
She said the intervention prioritised areas with high maternal mortality rates, particularly LGAs that are part of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
These include Zing, Lau, Ardo-Kola, Gashaka, and Ussa LGAs, which were identified as critical zones requiring urgent health system strengthening.
“The facilities were strategically selected based on client volume and service utilisation to ensure the intervention focused on high-burden, high-impact locations,” she said.
Dr Dadi added that improving HIV service delivery in these communities is essential to reducing preventable deaths among women and children, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Addressing Gaps in Maternal Health and HIV Services
The initiative also responds to significant gaps in maternal healthcare delivery in Taraba State.
Citing the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Dr Dadi revealed that only 33 per cent of women in Taraba State deliver in health facilities, while a staggering 67 per cent deliver at home.
She warned that this trend severely limits access to essential HIV prevention, testing, and maternal healthcare services.
“The survey indicates that 67 per cent of women deliver at home, which severely limits access to essential HIV prevention, testing, and maternal health services,” she said.
According to her, integrating HIV services into routine healthcare delivery points such as antenatal care, immunisation, and outpatient services is critical to closing this gap.
She stressed that many women who do not access formal healthcare facilities during pregnancy or childbirth are often missed by HIV testing and treatment programmes, increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
“This is particularly important for unbooked women and other vulnerable populations, who are often missed by the health system,” she added.
Building Capacity in PMTCT and Early Infant Diagnosis
One of the key outcomes of the training is the strengthening of health workers’ capacity in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), and paediatric HIV case identification.
Dr Dadi explained that these competencies are essential for improving early detection and treatment outcomes for children born to HIV-positive mothers.
She said the trained health workers are now better equipped to identify cases early, initiate timely treatment, and ensure continuous care for affected families.
“These competencies are being institutionalised within the primary healthcare system rather than remaining project-dependent,” she said.
This approach, she noted, ensures that knowledge and skills gained through the programme remain within the health system long after external funding cycles end.
Cascading Knowledge and Strengthening Supervision Systems
Dr Dadi further stated that the 122 trained health workers are expected to cascade their knowledge within their respective health facilities, thereby expanding the reach and impact of the intervention.
This cascading model is designed to ensure that more health workers benefit from the training indirectly, improving overall service delivery across the state.
She added that the process is supported by structured supervision and mentorship mechanisms led by both state and local government authorities.
“This process is reinforced through state and LGA-led supportive supervision and mentorship, which embeds accountability and continuous quality improvement within government systems,” she said.
According to her, this framework ensures that healthcare delivery remains consistent, accountable, and aligned with national standards.
SFH’s Shift Toward Systems Strengthening
Dr Dadi also highlighted a strategic shift in SFH’s approach from direct service delivery to technical assistance and health systems strengthening.
She said the organisation is now focusing on building government capacity to lead, manage, and sustain health interventions independently.
“SFH’s role has intentionally shifted from direct service delivery to technical leadership and health systems strengthening,” she said.
She explained that the organisation is co-developing training content with government stakeholders, aligning interventions with national health strategies, and integrating HIV indicators into routine reporting and supply chain systems.
According to her, this ensures full ownership of the programme by the Taraba State Government and enhances long-term sustainability.
Toward a Sustainable and Resilient Health System
Dr Dadi described the initiative as a milestone in Nigeria’s transition from donor-driven, vertical health programmes to integrated, government-led systems.
She said the ultimate goal is to build a resilient healthcare system capable of sustaining HIV service delivery beyond donor funding cycles.
“The outcome is a more resilient health system capable of sustaining HIV service delivery beyond donor funding cycles, while improving access to quality care for children, adolescents, and families,” she said.
She added that the integration of HIV services into primary healthcare is expected to significantly improve health outcomes across Taraba State, particularly for vulnerable populations in rural communities.
