Project Summary
Following the recent procurement of 300 motorcycles by the Ministry of Health in Jigawa, Transaid was requested by the PRRINN team to develop a management system to ensure the effective use of these new vehicles.
The motorcycles have been provided on an interest free loan basis to community level health workers throughout the state who are responsible for distributing vaccines from local government cold stores to health facilities and outreach sites.
Transaid has implemented the system with two out of 27 Local Government Authorities and will decide whether to roll out the scheme across the state following a review in September 2009.
The Problem
Northern Nigeria has some of the lowest immunisation rates in the country and less than 6% of children in the north west and north east zones have been fully immunized in the last six years. Despite efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of immunisation, the uptake remains low and inequalities are wide spread.
Children within the poorest communities are up to 12 times less likely to be immunised than those from the wealthiest and are therefore more susceptible to contracting life-threatening diseases such as polio and tetanus.
It is estimated that 22% of childhood deaths can be prevented through routine immunisation. Failure to do so may threaten the position of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries to achieve their goals to improve child health and eradicate disease.
The Process
One of Transaid’s main goals was to integrate the operation of the 300 new motorcycles, in addition to any pre-exisiting motorcycles, into the Jigawa State Ministry of Health Transport Management System. This was done so key performance indicators could be monitored and measured such as kilometres travelled, fuel utilisation, running costs per kilometre, availability of the vehicles, utilisation, needs satisfaction and safety records.
Transaid also developed a motorcycle usage policy for the owners of the motorcycles which detailed their responsibilities regarding data collection, maintenance, service delivery and personal usage of the vehicle.
A sustainable, kilometre based system for the management of motorcycles by health workers responsible for routine immunisation planning was also developed and Transaid worked to build the capacity of the State and Council Transport Officers through their involvement with the project.
Partners
The PRRINN/MNCH consortium led by Health Partners International, Save the Children and Grid Consulting, State Ministry of Health in Jigawa state, Gunduma Board, Jahun Gunudma Council, Jahun Local Government Authority and Miga Local Government Authority.
The Results
Following project implementation the following results have been achieved:
• 22 community level health workers have been trained how to collect transport and vaccine distribution data.
• Five health and transport officers have been trained on how to analyse transport data and produce monthly performance reports.
• Draft usage guidelines and loan contracts have been developed in partnership with motorcycle users and government stakeholders.
• Motorcyle maintenance guidelines and monitoring sheets have been produced for the motorcycle drivers.
• Logsheets have been developed and distributed for the collection of basic transport data
The Impact
The training given by Transaid will ensure that the 300 motorcycles used for the distribution of vaccines in Jigawa state will operate more efficiently. As a result, budgeting for these vehicles will be a much clearer and simpler process, helping to ensure that funding is available to support the distribution of vaccines.
The effective management of the motorcycles will lead to reduced operational costs, allowing the community health workers to reach more healthcare facilities. This will greatly increase availability of vaccines in rural areas, giving people better access to this service.
See also:
• Nigeria, Emergency Transport System for Pregnant Women, PRRINN-MNCH Update, Oct. 2009
• Nigeria, Training of Ambulance Driver Trainers, Yobe State, PRRINN-MNCH Update, August 2009
• Nigeria, Training of Transport and Health Officers, Zamfara State, PRRINN Update - May, 2009
• Nigeria, Jigawa State, Safe Motherhood Emergency Transport Scheme, 2005-2006
• Nigeria, Increasing access to healthcare for mothers and children, PRRINN - MNCH Update – April 2009
• Nigeria, Programme for Reviving Routine Immunization in Four Northern States, 2007 – 2011
