The World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. It is celebrated worldwide by the over 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries and territories, all Member States of the United Nations, as well as by other associations and organizations, companies, healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes and their families. As part of our lined up activities for the year.
Health Matters Incorporated joined over 150 countries and organizations around the world to celebrate the 2018 World Diabetes Day/Global Diabetes Walk by organizing a walk on Friday 14th November 2018 in Makoko and Ilaje communities in Lagos state. The walk was aimed at creating mass awareness about the disease among the populace and school children.

ACTIVITIES

THE WALK
The activity commenced at 8.30am with a health talk on type 2 diabetes for secondary school students in Makoko. They were encouraged to prevent type 2 diabetes by adapting healthy life styles through eating right diet, regular exercise and checking of their glucose level which will go a long way in reducing the cases of diabetes in our society.
This was followed by a boat regatta which went on the water through the water community. Information materials on diabetes were handed out to community members. Participants had an exciting walk coupled with drumming; singing and dancing by the band boys as participates took steps to prevent diabetes.

HEALTH SCREENING:
There was free health screening for all those who participated in the walk, ranging from DM screening, Rapid Body Mass index and blood pressure checks.
The Walk recorded successes; there was large turnout, educational materials were distributed on diabetes awareness and prevention. Persons with high blood sugar were referred to appropriate facilities for further checks and follow up.

The mobile clinic is an adapted vehicle design using the base of the Mercedes Benz Vario 840D, 2004 model, the vehicle is retrofitted with medical space and equipment to function as a self contained fully operational mobile clinic. The unit is completely independent and does not require additional infrastructure; fuel-cell technology generates sufficient power for lighting, heating, refrigeration, communications and other day-to-day operations.

Medical Space and Equipment

• Patient accommodation space: 12.40cu.m
• Medical supply and pharmacy: 4.25cu.m
• Cargo space: 6.5cu.m
• Sampling/testing stations: 10
• Examination rooms: 2
• Examination tables: 2
• Outdoor waiting room: 25-30patients
• Blood sampling stations: 10 chairs
• Micro-cooler: 0.25cu.m
• Projection equipment: 15mm projector
• Projection screen: 8sq.m
• Compressor room: 1
• Fuel cell storage
• Auxiliary power: 350V/3-50HZ generator

Activities of the Mobile Clinic
The main objective of the mobile clinic is to provide cheap affordable and convenient health delivery to Nigerian where ever they may be.
Other objective of the clinic is to provide health services in the areas of HIV/AIDS education, counseling, testing and treatment for people in both urban and peri-urban areas.
Since 2005, HMI has used the mobile clinic within and outside Lagos to conduct HIV/AIDS awareness, voluntary counseling and testing and health care services in communities and higher institutions including the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, University of Benin, Delta State University Abraka, Olabisi Onabanjo University Agowoye, University of Ado-Ekiti and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.
At the 14th International Conference on AIDS and STI in Africa held in Abuja, HMI used the mobile clinic to provide community based health care services and mobile HIV counseling and testing as requested for, by the organizers. The conference and Family Health International, North Carolina USA shared the cost of sponsorship.

The overall aim of this project was to improve access to diabetes care in hard-to-reach, urban slum communities in Lagos state. This was to be achieved through the establishment of diabetes clinics in 2 select PHC’s in the State, increasing stakeholder commitment for diabetes and raising awareness on diabetes generally in grass roots communities. This project was conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health. The project served as a model for introducing diabetes care in primary health care centers in Lagos state, Nigeria.

Duration: 2014 – 2016

Approach / Methods • Advocacy • Stakeholders sensitization workshops • Capacity building workshops for health personnel • Preliminary baseline survey on diabetes care in primary health centres in Lagos state • Provision of facilities and equipment for diabetes care in 2 model primary health centres • Monitoring and audit of clinic activities in 2 model primary health centres • Periodic mobile screening awareness camps in 50 hard-to-reach communities

Outcomes • 2 model diabetes clinics were established and equipped in Epe and Badagry health centres in Lagos state where counselling on diabetes and foot care and treatment are being provided to patients. • Baseline survey was successfully conducted to establish the situation of diabetes care services in the state. • The capacity of 150 health personnel was built in the treatment and management of diabetes in 50 primary health centres in the Lagos state. • 32,154 persons were screened for DM 50 communities. Current and past Grant/projects

The project is a three-year project aimed at improving access to diabetes care in 35 PHCs in hard-to-reach communities in Lagos State. It is an extension of the project which established model clinics in 2 primary health centres in Lagos state that are being sustained by the health authorities in Epe and Badagry. The need for the expansion became necessary to address the gaps in diabetes care delivery in Lagos state, deepen the project and reach more Lagosians. The project was scaled up to include 35 PHCs selected from 10 local government areas of Lagos State. The overall aim of this project is to improve access to diabetes care in hard-to-reach, urban slum communities, increase stakeholders commitment for diabetes and raise awareness on diabetes generally in grassroots communities. Diabetes awareness and education and information will reach 5,000,000 Lagosians through radio jingles and information leaflets. The provision of diabetes clinics in 35 primary health care centres across the state will help to increase early detection and treatment of diabetes in communities in Lagos state, providing diabetes care in primary centers will go a long way to increase access to diabetes care in communities across the state.

Duration: 3 years (2018-2021)

Objectives:
The specific objectives of this project are • Advocacy to increase awareness and access to care on diabetes • To improve diabetes services for patients through the provision of quality and affordable services and strengthening of diabetes care and management in 35 PHCs in Lagos state. • To increase awareness about diabetes through awareness and screening camps in 150 communities and radio jingles,
Target group(s):
Population in hard-to-reach communities in Lagos state

The project is being conducted in the following LGAs/LCDAs and PHCs;

1.	ALIMOSHO LG,	Orisu-Bare PHC
2.	Mosan Okunola LCDA	Rauf Aregbesola PHC, Akinyele PHC
3.	Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA	Ipaja PHC
4.	Igando LCDAs	Isheri Osun PHC
5.	ETI-OSA LGA	Ikate PHC
6.	ETI-OSA East LGA	Badore PHC, Sango Tedo PHC
7.	KOSOFE LGA	Ogudu PHC, Oworo PHC
8.	Ajegunle LCDA	Ajegunle PHC
9.	MAINLAND LGA	Simpson PHC, Abule Nla PHC
10.	Yaba LCDA	Iwaya PHC
11.	MUSHIN LGA PHCs	Palm Avenue PHC, Isolo PHC, Alves PHC
12.	SHOMOLU LGA	Bajulaye PHC, Akoka PHC
13.	Bariga LCDA	Oloja PHC, Ashogbon PHC,
14.	AMUWO ODOFIN LGA	Festac PHC, Mile 2 PHC
15.	Agboju LCDA	Agboju PHC
16.	APAPA LGA	Ijora PHC, Oluwole PHC
17.	Marine Beach LCDA	Sari Iganmu PHC, Marine Beach PHC
18.	AJEROMI IFELODUN LGA	Akere PHC, Tolu PHC
19.	Layeni LCDA	Layeni PHC,
20.	OJO LGA	Ojo PHC
21.	Iba LCDA	Afromedia PHC, Ishagiri PHC, Iba PHC

Intended project results
• Reduced incidence of diabetes among Nigerians in Lagos state.
• Improved, cheaper and accessible diabetes care and management for people in resource-poor communities in the state.
• Increased stakeholders and community responsibility, participation and commitment for diabetes prevention and access to care in Lagos state.
• Improved diabetes care service delivery and referral in 35 PHCs.
• Increased awareness on diabetes and available services in 150 hard-to-reach communities in Lagos State.

As part of national effort to address the challenges of Malaria in Nigeria, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN) are working together for the successful implementation of the Global Fund Supported Malaria project on Accountability and Governance. This projects goal is to contribute towards reducing the malaria burden to pre-elimination levels and bringing malaria-related mortality to zero.

Health Matters Inc. under the Supervision of ACOMIN is one of the organizations implementing the project in Ogun, Yewa South LGA and Delta state in Aniocha North LGA.

The objectives of the activities were;
• To conduct Focused Group discussions at the ward level
• To Monitor CATs and conduct Client Exit interviews at GF supported health facilities within our coverage.
• To Support local government level advocacy visits to stakeholders

Target Audience
Community stakeholders, key community groups, Pregnant Women, Children under 5 years, Internally Displaced Population, General Population.
Expected Results
• Improved partnership with stakeholders in local governments in the states
• Increased level of awareness on Malaria prevention and treatment in wards of local government areas.
• Improved service delivery at on Malaria in GF supported Facilities in the states
• Increased project visibility in states