As part of efforts to address health disparities through evidence-based and community-focused initiatives, the moms and Infants Care Network (MICN), a non-profit organization committed to creating equitable environments for the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families, has initiated a series of health awareness and empowerment programs across Nigeria.
At the launching, held at Mom Civic Center, Warri, Delta State, the vice president of Moms and Infant Care Network (MICN), Border-ere Fiemotonghan, a Nigerian-US-based community health outreach specialist with the State of Mississippi, USA, emphasized the critical role of policy in addressing health disparities and advocated for continuous citizen involvement in the policy-making process.
At the inaugural health fair organized by MICN recently in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, where approximately 800 participants received free health screenings and care, Fiemotonghan advocated for integrating barbers into cardiovascular disease awareness campaigns and education. She highlighted the success of this approach in Mississippi, where barbers are trained to educate African Americans about cardiovascular risk factors and conduct hypertension screenings, leveraging clients’ existing trust in their barbers—a model that has proven highly effective not just in Mississippi but also across the United States and will potentially see great success if replicated in Nigeria.
With over seven years of experience working with underserved communities and engaging in evidence-based public health and policy, the Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy and Administration at Jackson State University is dedicated to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for minority populations. By partnering with diverse community groups, she spearheads and implements public health programs that educate citizens on cardiovascular disease risk factors and promote meaningful behavioral changes.
Her community engagement programs extend to working with churches in Mississippi to establish health ministries, motivating mayors to set up health councils, promoting healthy housing initiatives among low-income housing communities, and training students and community members to become participants in public health research through the Community the Research Fellowship Training Program.
As a member of Care for Mississippi, she works to expand healthcare access for low-income individuals through policy advocacy; a model she believes should be replicated in Nigeria.
In the fight against health disparities in Nigeria, Fiemotonghan highlighted MICN’s commitment to reaching people where they live, work, play, and worship.
“Implementing these strategies could enhance health equity and outcomes for underserved populations. For many parents and children at the health fair, this was their first eye or dental screening—this is why we provide these services in these areas,” she said.
Border-ere Fiemotonghan’s leadership and experience, particularly her success in similar initiatives in Mississippi, serve as a blueprint for sustainable health interventions in Nigeria. Her advocacy for continuous citizen involvement in policy processes and incorporating barbers and church leaders into health campaigns is a testament to the importance of community-driven solutions. As MICN continues to expand its outreach, the organization’s efforts highlight the critical role of local and global partnerships in promoting health equity and improving the well-being of mothers, children and families.
READ ALSO: Maiduguri: BUA Group donates N2bn to support flood victims
and then