Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 10107
Country/Region: Nigeria
Year: 2012
Main Partner: University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Main Partner Program: School of Social Work
Organizational Type: University
Funding Agency: HHS/HRSA
Total Funding: $360,000

AIHA is a nonprofit organization working to advance global health by helping communities and nations with limited resources to build sustainable institutional and human resource capacity. Through twinning partnerships and other programs, AIHA provides technical assistance using the knowledge and skills of experienced physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators, educators, allied health professionals, and civic leaders. Established in 1992 to initially support health twinning partnerships between the United States and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, AIHAs programs address critical public health and development issues such as HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, maternal and child health, primary care, emergency and disaster preparedness, and health professions education and development. Through the Twinning Center nearly 40 twinning partnerships and initiatives have been established in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Russian Federation in support of PEPFAR. As in all AIHA partnerships, the Twinning Center focuses on the creation of peer-to-peer, voluntary relationships between healthcare and related institutions, including schools of the health professions. Current outcomes for AIHA Nigeria for FY 11 include 150 Para Social Workers trained after the initial pilot phase of PSW, which included a Proof of Concept I & II as well as trainer, facilitator and supervisory trainings. At conclusion of the pilot phase, PSW I, 6 month supervisory period, and PSW II were conducted and trained 150 this fiscal year. The goal of AIHA is to continue to build sustainable human resource capacity which is a crucial element in contributing to the Human Resources for Health Indicators in Nigeria.

Funding for Care: Orphans and Vulnerable Children (HKID): $360,000

The first Nigeria Twinning Partnership was initiated in September of 2008 which is funded by CDC Nigeria aimed to: To strengthen the capacity of Nigerian Social Work Educational Institutions to provide knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the provision of comprehensive social services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria. Partners include University of Nigeria Nsukka- School of Social Work; Federal School of Social Work Emene- Enugu; and constituents from both the United States and Tanzania. The goal is to improve the health and well being of the vulnerable children and families in your communities by creating a work force of Para Social Workers. Para Social Workers are local people who have been trained to provide para professional support to vulnerable families. The training gives people skills to identify, assess, and link to the care system and provide ongoing support based on local, national and international standards of care. Para Social Workers learn basic principles of social work; child and human development; and HIV management. To be certified as a Para Social Worker (PSW), a trainee needs to complete a six month training regimen, which includes an initial 8 day PSW I training, 6 month supervisory/evaluation period and a follow up 5 day PSW II training. The goal of AIHA in FY 12 is to train 220 PSW for FY 2012 at the local level to address the pressing needs of the community. The overall goal is to contribute to congressional mandate of 140,000 new health care workers which can meet local demands for care necessary for orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria. In doing so, we will expand to an additional institution within the central region, specifically Benue State. This state has one of the highest statistics of OVC in Nigeria and therefore demand reiterates the need to train PSW in this region. University of Calabar will also be considered for expansion, dependant on increase of funding. AIHA will also access needs with regard to the trainings halls at each facility.