By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

In a significant move to reduce maternal mortality and foster economic empowerment, the Society for Family Health (SFH) has launched the Supporting Women’s Increased Access to Family Planning through Pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (SWIFT) Project. Funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and state governments

This three-year initiative aims to strengthen healthcare service delivery in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos states.

Bridging Healthcare and Economic Gaps

The SWIFT Project seeks to enhance the availability of family planning (FP) services, particularly Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC), through pharmaceutical primary healthcare outlets. The initiative includes training programs, outreach activities, and referral services while simultaneously equipping women in the pharmaceutical sector with entrepreneurship and digital inventory management skills.

Additionally, SWIFT will facilitate access to microcredit from financial institutions, enabling female healthcare providers to establish and sustain their businesses.

Speaking at the project’s inception meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Stonehedge Hotel in Kaduna, Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf, Assistant Chief, Policy Advocacy and Government Engagement (AC-PAGE), highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII). MAMII is dedicated to improving community access to child-spacing services and strengthening referral systems to combat maternal mortality.

According to Yusuf, two institutions – Shehu Idris College of Health Technology Makarfi and ECWA College of Health Technology Kagoro – have been selected and accredited by PCN to serve as training centers for Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs).

Driving Female Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion

The SWIFT Project also prioritizes female entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, recognizing the vital role women-led businesses play in fostering innovation, job creation, and poverty reduction. Key objectives include:

- Strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of female healthcare providers and improving their access to financial services.

- Digitalizing community pharmacies (CPs) and PPMVs to enhance inventory management and service quality.

- Providing training and financial linkages to ensure sustainable business expansion for female healthcare entrepreneurs.

“Part of our support will include training and linkage to financial institutions,” Yusuf said. “In some locations, we are also supplying commodities to ensure they have the necessary stock to kick-start the project.”

For the initial phase, the project has secured approximately $4 million in funding, with the expectation that a successful rollout will attract further investment to scale up the initiative.

Closing the Gender Gap in Healthcare in Kaduna State

Kaduna State faces a gender imbalance in healthcare service provision, with a female-to-male PPMV ratio of 1:4. Moreover, female providers are predominantly based in urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved. To address this gap, SWIFT aims to train 1,321 female community pharmacists and PPMVs in family planning and entrepreneurship.

SFH is also working closely with the Kaduna State Government to ensure that qualified providers receive proper accreditation and licensing from the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Dr. Aishatu Abubakar Sadiq, Permanent Secretary of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, emphasized the government’s commitment to the initiative, stating: “The SWIFT Project embodies the principles of sustainable healthcare development by providing much-needed business support to PPMVs, who play a critical role in delivering essential health services in the state.”

She added: “Improving healthcare outcomes requires not only investment in medical infrastructure but also strategic collaborations that enhance accessibility, build local capacity, and empower healthcare workers and entrepreneurs.

“The Kaduna State Government remains committed to fostering public-private partnerships that enhance healthcare delivery and economic development.”

A Sustainable Future for Women’s Health and Economic Growth

By expanding access to family planning services, promoting women-led businesses, and integrating technology-driven healthcare solutions, the SWIFT Project aims to create a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that enhances quality of care, gender equity, and long-term socio-economic development in Nigeria.