Health Education and Empowerment Initiative (HEDEN)

The Elevate prize funding will assist HEDEN to be sustainable as we will use some of the prize to pay for project overhead cost, which most grants do not cover. We would also use part of it for staff training and upgrade the computers and management software of HEDEN. It will assist HEDEN to upgrade to a higher work proficiency level to attract more grants and partnerships. I would use part of it to pay for my PhD in Epidemiology. This degree will assist HEDEN to apply for grants that require a higher-level project leader. Also, I can serve as a consultant to international organizations, bringing more income to HEDEN for use in overhead costs. Finally, the fund will be used to equip our innovative Sweet Mother E-Clinic and its Mobile Clinic that provide affordable quality healthcare and funding for HEDEN work. 

I am a simple person whose purpose in life to help and make people happy. My values are love, empathy, and determination to make an impact in people's lives. I strongly believe that people's lives can be better than it is today if only more people care. I am driven by the passion that 'nothing can stop a person ready to change something'.

I started HEDEN during my first pregnancy. I observed that other women had strong beliefs in myths that can undermine their health. I spoke to the Medical Director of the hospital to permit me to talk to the women for an hour during antenatal clinics. Thus, I started the Sweet Mother Program in 2003 in one hospital and grew it to serving 17 community health centres today. Reaching averagely 800 women monthly and expanded HEDEN to 2 states in Nigeria.

My vision is my NGO as a renowned one-stop public health institution that is sought for its quality and affordable services to the vulnerable. I aim to be a director of an international public health organization working as a renowned epidemiologist, influencing public health policy nationally and globally. 

What would you do if the only fruit that grows in your compound as a poor pregnant woman is an orange tree and you have been told not to eat oranges because it would block your vagina during delivery? This is one of the dilemmas most of our beneficiaries' face. Myths lead to malnutrition, contributing to a high infant mortality rate of 74 deaths per 1000 live births (UNICEF, nd) and over 800 maternal mortality per 100,000 live births (WHO, nd) in Nigeria.

However, simple interventions are effective. HEDEN helps vulnerable people whomever, wherever they may be found, overcome social determinants of health and poverty through information, education, communication, and empowerment programs.

We improve the birth outcomes of pregnant women by liberating them from myths, giving micronutrients and birthing kits. We improve youths' career and life outcomes by empowering them with life skills to overcome peer pressure and bring social change to their communities. We improve community health by educating, screening, and referring for treatments.

Simple interventions are effective. Supporting and donating to HEDEN is giving vulnerable people the tool to overcome poverty and an opportunity to excel within their limited resources.

HEDEN is constantly innovating ways to solve health issues at the grassroots. For example, through our simple, evidence-based, community-led participatory approach to health issues, we innovated an App to address the high rate of maternal and child mortality. Sweet Mother App is the first evidence-based maternal and child health app translated into five languages: English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and Pidgin English. It is designed to meet SDG 3 and 4.

The App provides private access to accurate information on various health topics, videos, demonstrations, and step-by-step photo guides of MCH skills. The Sweet Mother App is transformative because it combines research, participatory approach, local content and technology to overcome barriers to health and provide access to vulnerable people in the comfort of their homes.

Currently, we observe the need for quality healthcare in the community we are located. Hence, we innovated a day-clinic that will provide primary healthcare, immunization and family planning at low cost to this underserved community. We have built the clinic about to equip it. Also, we designed a mobile clinic that will offer these services not to leave other communities behind. These two projects is at the core of our application to the Elevate Prize.

HEDEN has worked on non-communicable diseases such as Cervical cancer and Breast cancer through its campaigns and testing and treatment. Over 400 women have been reached with Breast cancer awareness in various communities and groups such as women's group, local associations and communities. Over 47 referrals for breast examination and extraction of lumps have been made. Over 542 women have been reached with Cervical cancer awareness and over 315 have been tested and treated for lesions.

HEDEN has worked on drug and substance abuse prevention with over 3357 youths through our clubs since 2005. To date, none of our club members has engaged in drug and substance abuse. Many are now adults with families.

There has been more safe deliveries and increased attendance at antenatal class in health centers and communities we work with on Sweet Mother Program. There is low maternal and child death in these communities. Our Clubs has empowered youths who now have their own NGO and impact other lives. The clubs are famous because all our members have improved health skills, self-confidence, good character and do not participate in any juvenile delinquency. HIV/AIDS patients mothers have been referred to Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission facilities.