The Society for Family Health has launched the Supporting Women’s Increased Access to Family Planning through Pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (SWIFT) project in three states of the country.
Speaking at the project’s meeting in Kaduna, the Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Engagement of Society for Family Health,
Mr. Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf highlighted the three-year initiative designed to strengthen healthcare service delivery, reduce maternal mortality, and promote women’s economic empowerment in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos States.
The SWIFT project is been founded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and supported by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and some state governments,
Mr. Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf emphasized that SWIFT aims to enhance access to family planning services, particularly Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), through community pharmacies and patent medicine vendors. Key interventions include:
According to him, the SWIFT aimed to improve outreach and referral services to improve access to family planning.
Other are entrepreneurship and digital inventory management training for healthcare providers,
facilitating access to microcredit from financial institutions for women-led businesses, and the initiative aligns with the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) strategy, which aims to expand community access to child-spacing services and strengthen maternal care referrals.
According to Mr. Yusuf, SWIFT goes beyond healthcare by supporting women-led pharmaceutical businesses, promoting financial inclusion, and reducing economic inequalities.
“Women-led businesses contribute significantly to social mobility, poverty reduction, and economic growth. Through SWIFT, we are creating opportunities for women to own and sustain businesses, fostering innovation, employment, and financial independence,” he stated.
The SWIFT project seeks to leverage community pharmacies (CPs) and patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) to close family planning gaps and support female business ownership.
In Kaduna, the ratio of female to male PPMVs is 1:4, with female providers concentrated in only six local government areas (LGAs). To address this imbalance, the SWIFT project will train 1,321 female community pharmacists and PPMVs in family planning and entrepreneurship.
SFH will also collaborate with the Kaduna State Government to ensure providers meet accreditation and licensing standards set by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr. Aisha Abubakar Sadiq reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with SFH to ensure the project’s success.
“We will work to provide financial access for medicine vendors, enhance capacity building, and foster collaborations to reduce maternal mortality in Kaduna State,” she stated.
The Deputy Managing Director, Pharmacy, SFH,
Pharm. Kene Eruchidu expressed the organization’s ambition to expand the project nationwide.
“Our vision is to scale this initiative across Nigeria to improve family planning services and reduce maternal mortality,” he said.
“With implementation across Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna States, SWIFT is designed as a three-year initiative that will contribute to a sustainable healthcare ecosystem, improved service delivery, and long-term socio-economic growth”.
The participation were from traditional leaders, SMEDAN, financial institutions, NAFDAC, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
The Society for Family Health (SFH) is one of Nigeria’s leading public health organizations, with over 40 years of experience in improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based interventions and strategic partnerships. SFH remains committed to strengthening health systems and pioneering innovative market-driven solutions.
This initiative marks a significant step towards expanding access to family planning, empowering women in healthcare entrepreneurship, and improving maternal health across Nigeria.
Cov/Adamu Yusuf
