The Wellbeing Foundation Africa held discussions with the African Health Budget Network in Abuja aimed at strengthening collaboration on maternal and newborn health advocacy, with a particular focus on advancing the Nigeria Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan.
In introducing the Foundation, Mr. Rasheed Yusuf our Director for Public Policy impact and Partnerships highlighted WBFA’s mission to support women and children, especially during pregnancy, and underlined the importance of collaboration among organisations to avoid duplication of efforts in the health sector. He also noted WBFA’s longstanding partnerships with global entities including WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF, while expressing interest in further dialogue on co-management and joint support for ongoing projects.
The discussions explored the role of civil society in health policy, with Kelvin Agagbe, our Abuja State Programs Lead providing an overview of the Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan’s priorities in health advocacy and family planning. Mr. Yusuf emphasised WBFA’s role in supporting government through technical contributions and advocacy, and proposed co-creation sessions with the legislative arm to address challenges in health resource allocation.
Further exchanges, led by Amina Haladu of the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), examined ways of aligning activities with the WHO’s Maternal and Newborn Health resolution. Participants stressed the importance of preventing duplication, co-chairing efforts where necessary, and sharing documentation to maintain transparency. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue, collaborative planning, and exploring new avenues for innovation in strengthening maternal and newborn health outcomes in Nigeria.