SCIDaR

Despite Nigeria’s success in polio eradication, gaps remain in routine immunization, zero-dose identification, and Primary Health Care (PHC) strengthening, especially with declining donor funding. Without sustained leadership and collaboration, hard-won gains could be reversed. On February 7, 2025, the SCIDaR team, led by our CEO, Dr. Uchenna Igbokwe paid an advocacy visit to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, and his team at the UN House, Abuja to explore ways to sustain progress in polio eradication, bolster routine immunization, and improve primary healthcare access. The discussions reinforced the need for a unified approach; one plan, one budget, and one report, aligned with national priorities. There was also a strong push for deeper collaboration on key programs like Polio Outbreak Response (POBR), Routine Immunization (RI) Zero Dose, SPARK, and SARMAAN, as well as capability mapping to prevent duplication of efforts and to expand partnerships beyond polio, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin. Stronger partnerships mean more children immunized, more resilient health systems, and a future where preventable diseases no longer threaten lives. The work continues, because sustainability is the real success. #SCIDaRImpact #PolioEradication #RoutineImmunization #StrongerHealthSystems #HealthSustainability

Through the ASPIRE Project, funded by PEPFAR and implemented by IHVN with support from SCIDaR, patient-centered HIV services continue to expand across Nigeria, restoring health, dignity, and hope. #SICDaRImpact

UNAIDS reports that community-focused HIV interventions helped increase treatment access by over 279,000 people in one year, while viral suppression rates reached 93% among many patients receiving sustained care. #PatientCentredCare

Grace’s story shows why early HIV testing, treatment, and compassionate care matter. Nigeria has about 2 million people living with HIV, and stronger community-based care is helping improve access to support and treatment. #ASPIREProject #HIVCare

Missing vaccines isn’t just a caregiver issue, but a system issue. Let's fix the system rather than blame mothers. With @SCIDaR_ + Impetus Advisory Group, we’re working toward solutions. 🎧 bit.ly/487taGt #VaccinesWork #Immunization

Solina supported the successful implementation of the April National Immunization Days in the DRC. Through targeted technical assistance, including planning and coordination, training of supervisors, supportive supervision, and real-time monitoring, the campaign achieved over 100% administrative coverage and a 93% LQAS pass rate nationwide, reflecting strong coordination and high-quality field performance. Prior to the campaign and in response to the country’s request, Solina led the revision of the national Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), developing an enhanced tool now hosted online to enable real-time tracking of post-campaign recommendations and strengthen accountability ahead of upcoming campaigns. To support its effective adoption, Solina trained national supervisors on the platform and continues to mentor and support provincial teams to build sustained capacity and ownership. This work reflects Solina’s continued commitment to strengthening immunization systems and supporting countries in delivering high-quality campaigns that reach every child. #SCIDaRImpact #PolioEradication #SystemsStrengthening #DRC

Over the past few months, SCIDaR’s work has been featured in several media publications, where our principals have shared practical insights on what it takes to build systems that work, how strong systems translate into meaningful impact, and what sustainable results can look like in real time. These features have spotlighted our work across the development space, from strengthening systems that empower women in organizations, to improving internal structures that support staff development, and building patient-centered approaches for sensitive health areas such as HIV. Across all these, our principals reflect SCIDaR’s expertise grounded in the realities of the Nigerian context. Missed any of these features? Read more below 👇 Babafemi Aina's Op-Ed: premiumtimesng.com/opinion/877340… Dr. Raihanah Ibrahim's Op-Ed: guardian.ng/news/opportuni… Dr. Abdulateef Salisu's Op-Ed: businessday.ng/life/article/p… #SCIDaRImpact #OpinionArticles

Today, on the International Day of the Boy Child, we celebrate boys across Nigeria and the world while recognising the importance of raising a generation that is empowered, emotionally supported, educated, and equipped to thrive as active contributors to society. At SCIDaR, we remain committed to designing gender-integrated programmes that reflect the realities of the Nigerian context. Through SAGE project, our programmes are intentionally built to cater to everyone, fostering equality, inclusion, and shared growth while ensuring that no one is left behind. We believe meaningful development happens when boys and girls alike are empowered to reach their full potential. As we commemorate this day, let us continue to raise boys who are informed, compassionate, resilient, and empowered to drive positive change in their communities. #InternationalDayOfTheBoyChild #SCIDaRImpact

VillageReach’s Late Infancy Immunization Study across Nigeria, Malawi, Pakistan & DRC highlights how stockouts, long gaps, transport barriers & weak reminders contribute to vaccine dropout at nine months: bit.ly/48muzsS @Gatesfoundation @SCIDaR_ #VaccinesWork

As health workers become more confident and response times improve, maternal care is becoming more precise, timely, and safer for mothers. #MaternalHealth #PPH #SafeDelivery #HealthSystems #SCIDaRImpact

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, accounting for about 27% of maternal deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO also estimates that nearly 14 million women experience PPH every year. A key challenge in preventing deaths from PPH has been delayed detection, often driven by reliance on visual estimation of blood loss during childbirth. At health facilities supported through our maternal health interventions, this is beginning to change. Health workers are now using calibrated drapes to measure blood loss in real time, enabling earlier detection and faster response to complications. Read thread below!

From 20 to 24 April 2026, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) held a high‑level mission in Kinshasa under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The visit brought together government representatives and technical partners from both countries to reinforce coordination and surveillance efforts along shared borders. The mission, led by Dr. Alda De Sousa, Director of Angola’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), focused on improving outbreak response, data management, and logistics systems. Delegates visited the Polio Emergency Operations Committee (COUP‑RDC), the Kinshasa Vaccine Hub, and the National Polio Reference Laboratory (INRB) to exchange best practices and strengthen operational collaboration. Solina’s Consultants played a pivotal role in supporting the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) discussions, showcasing how data‑driven approaches enhance campaign quality, accountability, and timely delivery of results. The team’s contribution was recognized by partners for improving coordination and the overall effectiveness of emergency response activities. This contribution was recognized by partners, with both countries reaffirming their trust on Solina’s technical support to enhance overall outbreak response effectiveness. The meeting concluded with both countries agreeing to strengthen routine surveillance and vaccination at border entry points, while committing to developing a comprehensive list of formal and informal entry points to better target foreign populations. Plans were also made for a synchronized vaccination campaign in May 2026 across five DRC provinces bordering Angola—Kongo Central, Kwango, Kasai, Kasai Central, and Lualaba. #SCIDaRImpact #PolioEradication #SystemsStrengthening #Vaccination #Angola #Congo

We’re excited to announce that SCIDaR will be attending the 2026 Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama City from June 22–26! SCIDaR will join global leaders, policymakers, private sector actors, community leaders, and other key stakeholders to address pressing global health and development challenges. Together, we’ll exchange insights, share lessons learned, identify opportunities for growth, and explore pathways to scale solutions tailored to the realities of our communities. Hosting this year’s summit in Panama City, a place recognized for its historic contributions to social and behavior change communication, makes this convening especially significant and one we’re proud to be part of. #SBCCSummit #SBCC #SCIDaRImpact

Help can become harm when it hardens into a norm we stop questioning. OUT NOW! 🎧 Watch here: youtu.be/mzg-nLrzZv8 🎧 Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/5MuP35… #NormsLabPodcast #SocialNorms #GenderNorms #ChildProtection #GirlsAgency #Nigeria #Development #EverydayDecisions

"Be grateful you have a roof over your head." It's what many girls, sent from their villages through a trusted neighbor who "knows a family in the city," are told when they ask why the promised school never came.Our new podcast drops by 4pm here: youtu.be/mzg-nLrzZv8 @SCIDaR_

When does help become harm? Our upcoming episode of the Norms Lab Podcast sits with how harm gets dressed up as kindness, and what it takes to see through it. Catch the LIVE Premiere here at 4pm on Monday HERE: youtu.be/mzg-nLrzZv8

“Not every partnership is worth pursuing, especially if it cannot deliver meaningful results.” In the latest episode of the ACE Podcast, Dr. Chukwunonso Nwaokorie, Principal at the @SCIDaR_ - Solina Centre for International Development and Research, shares insights on how donors and partners can design collaborations grounded in impact, accountability, and integrity, moving beyond intent to what it truly takes to deliver results in practice. New episode drops this Friday! Subscribe now so you never miss an episode: YouTube → youtube.com/shorts/GxUbm33… Spotify →  open.spotify.com/show/0nBLPDPU7… #ACEPodcastSeries #StrategicPartnerships #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthSystemsStrengthening #DevelopmentImpact #DonorPartnerships #ImpactDriven #EvidenceBased

What keeps children from getting vaccinated, even when caregivers try? Distance. Lost cards. Lack of info on side effects. These barriers add up. With @SCIDaR_ + Impetus Advisory Group, we're working to close the gap. 🎧 Watch the full episode: bit.ly/487taGt

Too many development partnerships begin with promise and end in paperwork. Signed MOUs, launch photos, workshops, and activity reports often create the appearance of progress, but where is the measurable impact? In Episode 7 of the ACE Podcast, we explore how donors, NGOs, governments, and implementing partners can move beyond symbolic collaboration and build partnerships that truly deliver results. Hosted by Dr. Victory Ekpin, this episode features insights from two respected leaders in the development and health systems space: -Dr. Chukwunonso Nwaokorie – Principal, @SCIDaR_ - Solina Centre for International Development and Research -Zainab Saidu – Associate Director, SRMNH, Clinton Health Access Initiative (@CHAI_health) In This Episode, We Discuss: -Why many partnerships fail after the MOU is signed -The difference between activity completion and real systems impact -How to design accountability into collaborations from day one -Data ownership, governance, and risk mitigation frameworks -What donors should measure beyond “number of people trained” -How strategic advisors like ACE help convert intention into execution The full episode is now live. Watch and listen here: YouTube → youtu.be/W9_Dqfrs3og?si… Spotify → open.spotify.com/episode/2Hqbwy… #ACEPodcastSeries #StrategicPartnerships #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #HealthSystemsStrengthening #DevelopmentImpact #DonorPartnerships #ImpactDriven #EvidenceBased

Every child deserves protection. #ImmunizationForAll #ZeroDoseChildren #ChildHealth #PublicHealthNigeria #VaccinesWork #EquityInHealth

According to the latest WHO and UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), 14.3 million children globally remain zero-dose, meaning they have not received even a single routine vaccine dose. For many families, the challenge goes beyond access to health services. It is shaped by social norms, mobility constraints, and household decision-making that influence whether and when a child gets vaccinated. Reaching these children takes more than just making services available. It requires approaches that meet people where they are. This includes building trust through community engagement, supporting caregivers with the right information, using local channels to share timely updates, and bringing services closer through outreach and mobile sessions. These efforts help create real access, even in situations where movement is limited or decisions are not straightforward. Stories like Sadiya’s show what is possible when these barriers are understood and addressed. Read thread below!