Health

Health as a service area is the first among other very important areas of program implementation as it is said “Health is Wealth”. This program area is important as it promotes access to quality and comprehensive healthcare service to families and communities. As it concerns public health, Mashiah Foundation has implemented various community interventions to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and other water borne diseases on communities.

Mashiah Foundation has also reached out to over 31 communities spanning across a number of Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State such as Jos South, Jos East, Langtang, Bokkos, Quan-pan, Mikang, Shendam, Mangu and Bassa. Other states are Kaduna, Ondo (Owo, Ondo LGAs) and Nassarawa (Akwanga LGA) contributing its quota to improving the lives of Women, Children and Families through efficient and effective service deliveries (directly and through linkages/referrals). Over 40,000 clients have been reached with HIV Testing Services (HTS); over 500 HIV positive clients have been referred and linked to treatment, care and support; over 300 HIV positive beneficiaries have also been empowered for self-sustainability through various skills acquisitions and programs.

Mashiah Foundation in promoting right to health among young people established an Adolescent Friendly Centre to reduce the prevalence rate of new HIV infection, unwanted pregnancies and reduce risk associated with unsafe abortion among adolescents and women of child-bearing age through the promotion of contraceptives.

Mashiah Foundation with the support of USAID implemented the gender component in HIV/AIDS programming with a focus on gender and human rights integration into HIV prevention, care and support among vulnerable population. This component is aimed at identifying barriers

that impede the reduction of new HIV cases, uptake of treatment, care and support by HIV positive persons, rights violation of HIV positive individuals, stigma and discrimination and gender-based violence. This strategic program implementation has been used as a tool to bring about change ideas and reduce violence against individuals based on their gender in the various communities. Other health services provided includes:

• Health education
• Distribution of Insecticide treated bed net to reduce the spread of malaria
• Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services
• Deworming and Vitamin A supplimentation
• Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH)
• Immunization by Referrals and linkages
• Referrals and Linkages