The Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) has officially commenced preparations for its Silver Jubilee celebration with the inauguration of a Planning Committee.
The Executive Administrator of CHR, Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim, inaugurated the committee at the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) building in Kano.
The event also marked the committee’s inaugural meeting, setting the tone for the strategic planning of activities to commemorate 25 years of the organisation’s service, impact, and commitment to communities across Nigeria.
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Speaking during the inauguration, Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim emphasised that the Silver Jubilee would reflect CHR’s long-standing dedication to improving health outcomes, particularly for women, children, and underserved communities.
The Planning Committee is chaired by Dr Musa Muhammad Bello, with Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim serving as Secretary. Other members of the committee include Salisu Yusuf, Abigail Ogah, Abdulkareem Abdulwasiu, Abdullahi Muhammad Salisu, Sulaiman Jalo, Khadija Ammani, Aftahana Sarina, Zainab Nasir Ahmad, Khadija Aliyu, Barrister Nura Ahmad, and Abdulwahab Said Ahmad.
Founded in 2000 by renowned public health expert and advocate, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, CHR is a national non-governmental organisation registered in Kano State in 2001 and incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2003.
Over the past 25 years, the organisation has played a key role in strengthening healthcare delivery in Nigeria, with a particular focus on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH).
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Through advocacy, community mobilisation, training, research, and information sharing, CHR has influenced policies and programmes that have delivered tangible improvements in the health sector.
The organisation has also partnered with local and international donors to implement several impactful projects across Kano State and other parts of the country.
CHR’s major achievements include establishing a strong reputation for transparency and accountability in project implementation, pioneering the use of health budget scorecards by civil society organisations to track MNCH funding, and contributing to improved health sector budget performance in 10 states and at the national level.
The organisation has also successfully advocated for the establishment of key state-level health institutions, including the State Healthcare Trust Fund in Bauchi and Kano states, State Contributory Health Management Agencies in Bauchi and Kano, the Private Health Institutions Management Agency in Kano, and the Kano State Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospitals Board.
In addition, CHR played a leading role in advocating for the inclusion of Heat Stable Carbetocin in Nigeria’s National Essential Drug List for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.
Activities lined up for the Silver Jubilee celebration include the unveiling of the anniversary banner, monthly budget dialogue sessions, a special edition of the Hasken Matasa radio programme, a visit to a vulnerable home for health talks and the distribution of sanitary items, and an anniversary lunch.
The anniversary lunch will also feature the inauguration of the CHR Steering Committee, the sharing of success stories, the presentation of distinguished awards, and other activities to celebrate the organisation’s 25-year journey.