SECRETARIAT REPORT OF THE MEDICAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA KADUNA STATE BRANCH PRESENTED TO THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT 23RD APRIL, 2020.

The current Executive Council members for the 2019-2021 biennium were inaugurated on 30 th

November 2019 with the following positions1. President – Anisah Yahya2. President Elect – Zainab Muhammad Idris-Kwaru3. Secretary – Aisha Mustapha4. Assistant Secretary – Hassana Yakasai5. Treasurer – Chantale Iriekpen6. Financial Secretary – Aishatu Abubakar-Abdullateef7. Public Relations Officer I – Sandra Okoli8. Public Relations Officer II – Modupe Ogunsina9. Internal Auditor – Abimbola Kolawole10. Zonal Coordinator – Marufah Lasisi11. Young Doctor’s Forum (YDF) Coordinator – Aminat Jimoh Jelili12. Young Doctor’s Forum Secretary – Hafsat Maikudi13. Ex-officio 1 (Immediate Past President) – Nana Hawwa Madugu14. Ex-officio 2 (Immediate Past Secretary) – Tessy Oiza Ahmadu

Some members of the Executive Council of MWAN Kaduna inaugurated on 30/11/2019

The new secretary had challenges of not having an office to be used as secretariat and had to use the office of Madam President and Immediate Past Secretary as makeshift. The secretary eventually got an office on Monday, 13th January 2020, with special gratitude to the Immediate Past President and Head of OBGYN department, Dr Nana Hawwa Madugu. The secretariat had to be made functional as such work commenced. A cupboard was made, and office items like printer, socket, rim of paper, files, et cetera were purchased. MWAN items were eventually moved to the new secretariat.

The new Executive Council members swung into action immediately to consolidate on the work of the previous executives. The following programs have been organized by the current dispensation.

Social Media Visibility: The association opened an email and twitter account on 1st

January 2020. Email address is mwankadunastate@gmail.com and the Twitter handle is @MWANKad. Our state activities are being posted to the page.

Courtesy visits: The association paid courtesy visits to the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Muhammad Baloni. The association expressed her willingness to work with the state government voluntarily in order to help carry out her programs in relevant fields

MWAN Kaduna President, Dr Anisah Yahya, presents Award of Ecellence to the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe

MWAN Kaduna courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe on 13/12/2019. In attendance was the Commisioner for Health, Dr Amina Muhammad Baloni, both MWAN Kaduna members.

MWAN Kaduna with the Commissioner for Health, Kaduna State during a courtesy visit to her office on 15/01/2020

Women’s Right to Health Information (WORTHI) project: This is a national project carried out by MWAN Kaduna. Monthly, the association carries out health talks on Breast Self-Examination (BSE) at the antenatal and immunization clinics in order to reduce the scourge of breast cancer through early detection. Currently, over 500 4-page flyers have been distributed with diagrams and contact numbers for further questions. About 10 sensitization programs have been carried out. This project was to run for six months (ending March 2020) following which awareness on another disease entity will be embarked upon. Follow up calls were made and a new case of breast cancer was discovered through our awareness program

One of the numerous WORTHI project talks carried out by the YDF at the immunization clinic

The WORTHI flyer on Breast Self-Examination explained to antenatal clinic attendees

Immediate past secretary, Dr Tessy Ahmadu after distributing flyers to the mothers at the immunization clinic, ABUTH, Zaria, Kaduna State

First Executive Council Meeting: The association held her first executive council meeting on Saturday 11th January 2020 at National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna. At this meeting, a tightly packed year plan was drawn and the association aims to follow this plan strictly and do even more. So far, we are doing even more than has been outlined in the year plan. Kudos to our members

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: A radio program was conducted at Karama radio by Dr Salma Maiwada of BDTH in January 2020

Lassa Fever Sensitization: In January 2020, the Lassa Fever epidemic hit the country with confirmed cases in Kaduna State. The association swung into action with media sensitization programs including Radio and Television Programs in both Hausa and English Languages in order to curb the spread of the virus. Five of such programs were done so far including TV and radio programs by members. This was anchored by MWAN members, Chairperson Infection Prevention and Control, BDTH, Dr Oluwafemi Ige, Dr Zainab Tanko, Dr Samira Badamasi, Dr Zainab Kwaru

World Cancer Day 2020 – This was celebrated on 4th February, 2020 at the GOPC ABUTH Tudun Wada with health talks on cervical and breast cancer reaching out to over 300 women and men. In addition, two radio programs were organized on 08/02/2020 at Nagarta Radio by Amina Dansani, a resident in Radiooncology ABUTH. Dr Zainab kwaru also.

World Cancer Day Talk with emphasis on breast and cervical cancer given by MWAN Kaduna President, Dr Anisah Yahya and other members on 04/02/2020

Cancer Screening in collaboration with Good Shepherd Catholic Church and Centre for Health Education and Life Promotion: 135 women were screened for breast and cervical cancers. This was anchored by Dr Tessy Ahmadu on 15/02/2020 with 6 MWAN members in attendance. 3 clients with obvious lesions were followed up at the ABUTH gynae clinic by MWAN Kaduna members.

Liquid based cytology screening for cervical cancer by MWAN Kaduna in partnership with Good Shepherd Catholic Church Zaria

SCREENING for chronic medical conditions including diabetes, hepatitis, HIV etc

Medical Outreach in Partnership with Al-Ihsan Foundation was held on 1st March, 2020. This included free consultations, BMI, free blood sugar screening and medications

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation: This day was marked on 6th February under the theme, “Unleashing Youth Power.” Electronic posters were made and shared and two live outreach programs were organized on Monday 10 th

February in Kaduna and Tuesday 11th February in Zaria zones respectively anchored by Dr Lubabatu Abdulrasheed and Dr Sakinah Ghazali

Some MWAN Kaduna members (Kaduna zone) after the talk on FGM

The women learnt their voice to the scourge. Some for, some against the practice

With community leaders and staff of PHC Hayin Dogo, Samaru, Zaria

Zaria zone members during the talk

Over 300 packs of toiletries were distributed

Appointments of Contact persons in every government hospital in Kaduna State and also private hospital representatives in order to promote all-inclusiveness and encourage participation by her members was done in December 2019. In addition, Sandra Okoli and Amina Makarfi were appointed welfare coordinators for both Kaduna and Zaria zones respectively. Khadija Liman Hamza of Community Medicine ABUTH was also appointed as the Research coordinator while Hauwa Umar Makarfi and Lubabatu Abdulrasheed were appointed outreach coordinators for Zaria and Kaduna zones respectively. This is to enable the association carry out her proposed activities easily and ensure sustainability and fair sharing of member welfare packages.

Capacity Strengthening of PHCs: In order to improve Maternal and Child Health Indices in the state, we intend to partner with Association of Public Health Physicians

(APHPN) and Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) of Kaduna State and also the state government in achieving this. Discussions are still ongoing.

Proposed Best Graduating Female Student Award: Letters have been written in this regard to both ABU and KASU in order to further encourage female medical students who are the future members of MWAN. The award is to include a sash, a certificate and a plaque.

NMA Kaduna SEC meeting: five MWAN members attended the SEC meeting of 08/02/20 with the secretary and president elect representing MWAN Kaduna. The major conclusions include that MWAN members should get a stamp, NMA partnership with Al-Bayyin Properties Limited to get housing units for members. Detailed report available at secretariat.

Radio/TV Sensitization: Postpartum depression by Dr Nafisa Hayatuddeen on 29/02/2020

World Hearing Day: MWAN partnered with National Ear Care Centre to commemorate the day by a Road Walk which had over 400 people in attendance to create public awareness by sensitization and distribution of flyers.

The entire length of the road was filled with MWAN members prominently featuring

Some MWAN Kaduna members during the World Hearing Day

MWAN Kaduna members with CMD of National Ear Care Centre, Dr Abubakar Mustapha Yaro and Dr Saheed Nasir, a consultant otorhinolaryngologist

International Women’s Day: Was commemorated by a live phone in NTA program by Dr Zara’u Bello Ibrahim of Zakari Specialist Hospital. SATURDAY 7/3/20

World Kidney Day: This is commemorated every 12th March. MWAN Kaduna had a Radio program by Dr Maryam Makarfi of Internal Medicine BDTH at Karama FM on 14/03/2020

COVID-19 response: following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, MWAN Kaduna has been called to partner with the KDSG to curb the spread. A total of 40 members of MWAN Kaduna have volunteered to one or more committees set up to manage the disease. Numerous radio and TV sensitization programs have been carried out to enlighten the public about the disease and dispel myths.

MWAN Kaduna also celebrated her amazons at the frontline of the fight

Call for grants: Our branch has made grants available to sponsor three female medical students to attend the MWIA Near East and Africa regional congress coming up in September. Award will cover conference registration, return travel and accommodation. Selection will be made based on essay writing competition. Applications have started rolling in already despite students are currently home.

World Hand Hygiene Day: With the theme, “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands,” MWAN Kaduna commemorated the day by a live TV program to sensitize the public that hand hygiene is one of the most effective means of reducing pathogens and preventing infections including the SARS CoV-2 causing COVID-19

Children’s Day 2020: In our quest to heal children with the love of a mother, MWAN Kaduna commemorated this day on 27th May, 2020 by celebrating all children with emphasis that all children deserved education, love, peace, parental care and compassion. Every child deserves a childhood.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day: We commemorated this day on 28th May by creating awareness to men, girls and women on the need for menstrual hygiene and called for support from men and relevant stakeholders. MWAN Kaduna was quite visible at the You Tube video of the national YDF to interview women and girls and sensitize on menstrual hygiene practices. A Radio program in Hausa was also carried out in Kaduna State

World No Tobacco Day: This day was commemorated with a live TV phone in program aimed at protecting youth from tobacco use (TobaccoExposed). We joined the global campaign to debunk myths and expose devious tactics used by the tobacco industry to seel their products. We also sensitized the public on the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Long Live MWAN Kaduna!

---------------------------------------Aisha MustaphaSecretary23/04/2020