A Mid-Year Update from Lafiya
A Mid-Year Update from Lafiya!
It's been a fast-moving first half of the year, and we have plenty to share.
Read on to get a behind-the-scenes look at how we're closing data gaps in family planning, find out more about how Lafiya Sisters are now distributing multiple government-procured methods, hear from one of our new staff members, and check out our open positions!
Closing the Data Gap in Family Planning
Our work focuses on delivering contraceptives to women in ultra-rural communities. These women are frequently completely cut off from healthcare services. Historically, across Nigeria, services delivered outside health facilities, or clients turned away due to stockouts, often go unrecorded in government data systems. This is a significant gap undercounting the latent demand. Without this data, the government cannot accurately predict how many family planning products they need to buy. Lafiya is uniquely positioned to bridge this data gap on the community level.
So how does this actually work?
Our Lafiya Sisters record every counselling session while our Data Verification Officers verify that this community-level data is consistently reflected in national systems. Through regular spot checks and data alignment meetings with facility and government staff, we identify discrepancies and work with them to ensure that the data is aligned. By making last-mile demand fully visible, we ensure the government can accurately forecast the supplies these women need and strengthen its health systems.
Multi-method Expansion
Lafiya’s work began with a focus on the self-injectable DMPA-SC, as it is so well-suited to the context in which we work. Self-injectables are discreet, easy to use, and cost-effective. As our model matures, we are expanding choice to make sure the women can select the option that best aligns with their health need and preferences. We have trained Lafiya Sisters in counselling on the full range of contraceptive methods, and they are now able to distribute various products that are suitable for community-based delivery (condoms, pills, and other injectables). Rather than purchasing these supplies ourselves, we rely on the government’s existing supply chain whenever it’s available.
If a woman wants a longer-acting method, like an IUD or implant, Lafiya Sisters counsel her and connects her to a nearby clinic that can provide it.
Hear directly from our client, Hauwau (21)
Hauwau is 21 years old, yet already has six children. Hear why she chose to use family planning and what difference this decision has made in her life.
“The cost of transport to a clinic meant I couldn’t access family planning. I never knew when I would get pregnant next. Life at home was also hard; my husband works as a dan kamusho (car park attendant), and brings home very little income. During my last pregnancy, my placenta didn’t come out, and I was scared for my life. I really want to take a rest between pregnancies. Having a Lafiya Sister come directly to my community through an outreach changed it for me. Now I can safely space for my pregnancies and manage my own health at home. I have even started my own business, knitting Hausa caps! I am proud that I am contributing to our household income, and I am now able to provide a better life for my children.”
— Hauwau, Kebbi State
Employee Spotlight: Praise (Operations Manager)
As our team keeps growing, we’d love to introduce you to some of our newest members. Praise joined Lafiya this quarter as an Operations Manager.
“I love working in Operations. When it’s working well, you don’t notice it, but behind the scenes, it makes a real difference to keeping the machine running. I like clearing frictions so we can move even faster. At Lafiya, I get to work across a range of workstreams but I also get to think deeply about how to build good systems from the ground up, a rare combination of breadth and depth. There is never a dull moment at Lafiya!”
Come Work with Us
Would you also like to join our team?
We are hiring for several key positions and are looking for mission-driven, ambitious people. Take a look at the vacancies, or forward them to someone in your network:
Your work can make a directly impact on women’s ability to access life-saving contraception.
We are looking forward to the second half of the year, and we are continuing our work at full stream to meet our ambitious goals. Thank you for your support, advice and encouragement always!
Warm wishes from the Lafiya team,
Klau, Jana, Céline, Miranda
