NIGERIA CAPACITY STRENGTHENING WORKSHOP REPORT

Theme: Driving Innovation in Sickle Cell Care: Strengthening Capacity for Better Patient Outcome.

Venue: University of Abuja Main Campus, Abuja, Nigeria. 

Date:  August 23rd, 2024. 

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm 

PAC Lead: Dr Imam Abubakar. 

SBA Lead: Dr Etuk Eno-Abasi Etim. 

Facilitator: Dr Isa Hezekiah. 

Sites involved in this training 

1. UATH – University of Abuja Teaching Hospital 

2. NHA- National Hospital Abuja 

3. NGH- Nyanya General Hospital 

4. GTC- Gwagwalada Town Clinic 

5. TUNG- Tungan Maje Primary Health Care 

6. DUTM- Dutse Makaranta Primary Health Care 

The workshop was well attended by members of the Standard-Based Audit (SBA) team and the Participatory Action Cycle (PAC) from the six participating sites. Also in attendance were Dr. Motto Nganda from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, members of the PACTS Nigeria team, CESRTA staff, and members of the university community. 

The SBA members consisted of healthcare professionals, including Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), and Community Health Officers (CHOs). The PAC members included sickle cell patients, parents or carers of SCD patients, community leaders, ward focal leads, and representatives from their respective communities. 

All participants of the workshop were registered at the entrance and each person given a file jacket containing a jotter, pen, agenda, a tag and an SBA training manual or PAC training manual depending on the group they belonged to. 

Professor Obiageli E. Nnodu, Principal Investigator of PACTS Nigeria, opened the workshop with inspiring remarks. She provided a comprehensive overview of the PACTS project, emphasizing its potential to transform SCD management across sub-Saharan Africa. 

The workshop was structured around two key components: 

1. Participatory Action Circles (PAC): Community members engaged in identifying critical challenges in SCD care. They developed action plans addressing issues such as awareness, follow-up care, and treatment adherence. This grassroots approach ensures that solutions are tailored to community needs. 

2. Standard-Based Audits (SBA): Healthcare professionals focused on enhancing specific standards of care. They tackled key areas including Hydroxyurea prescriptions, Penicillin prophylaxis, and blood transfusion practices. This process aims to standardize and improve the quality of care across facilities. 

Each team collaborated to create problem trees, which helped them visualise challenges and their potential solutions.  

The workshop yielded several significant outcomes: 

• Participants gained a deeper understanding of patient-centered SCD management. 

• Each site developed specific action plans tailored to their unique challenges. 

• The workshop strengthened collaboration between healthcare providers and community members, fostering a more holistic approach to SCD care. 

Moving forward, participants will implement their action plans, focusing on: 

1. Raising community awareness about SCD 

2. Improving treatment adherence among patients 

3. Enhancing healthcare provider skills and knowledge 

4. Conducting regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust strategies as needed 

This workshop marks a significant milestone in improving SCD care in Nigeria. By fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and communities, PACTS is paving the way for innovative, patient-centered approaches to managing sickle cell disease. 

Speaker	Proposed Title	Objective	Time
All	Arrival and registration	To outline the purpose of the gathering, and establish the importance of collaborative efforts in the PACTS project.  To provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the PACTS initiative, including its goals, objectives, and expected outcomes, and to align all teams with the project's vision.	09:00 - 09:30 am  09:30 - 09:50 am
Prof Obiageli Nnodu  PI PACTS Nigeria	Opening remark & Overview of the PACTS Project
Dr Tara /Dr Motto	General Introduction on Participation of Sites/Teams
Dr Imam and Team	PACs Session 1a: Introduction to the Participatory Action Circles	To introduce PAC members to the structure, purpose, and function of Participatory Action Circles and to begin discussions on collaborative strategies.  To introduce SBA team members to the audit process, including standards and metrics, and to prepare them for data-driven assessments and improvements.  To guide PAC members in creating actionable plans that address specific challenges identified in their circles, with a focus on realistic and measurable outcomes.  To review and refine the standards and metrics that will be used in the audit process, ensuring they are appropriate and achievable for each site.	09:50 - 10:50  Am  10:50 - 11:50  am
Dr Etuk and Team	SBA Session 1a: Introduction to the Standard-Based Audit Process
Dr Imam and Team	PACs Session 1b: Developing Action Plans
Dr Etuk and Team	SBA Session 1b: Reviewing Audit Standards and Metrics
Dr Imam and Team	PACs Session 2a: Implementation Strategies	To develop detailed strategies for implementing the action plans created in the earlier session, focusing on timelines, resources, and responsibilities.  To equip SBA team members with the skills and knowledge needed for effective data collection and analysis, crucial for driving improvements in patient care.	12:30 - 1:30  pm
Dr Etuk and Team	SBA Session 2a: Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
All	Group Discussion and Feedback	To bring together all participants to share insights, discuss challenges, and provide feedback on the breakout sessions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.	1:30 - 1:45  pm
Prof Nnodu	Closing Remarks and Next Steps    Objective	To summarize the key points discussed during the workshop, outline the next steps, and reinforce the commitment to achieving the project's objectives.	1:45 - 2:00  pm