Niger Integrated Child Health Services (NICe/RAcE)
Niger Integrated Child Health Services (2013–2018)
Overview
In 2012, the Government of Canada, through the World Health Organization’s Global Malaria Programme, awarded a grant to support the Rapid Access Expansion (RAcE) programme in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, and Nigeria.
This grant supported the implementation of integrated community case management (iCCM), an equity-focused strategy designed to complement and extend the reach of public health services. Through iCCM, children under five receive timely and effective treatment for pneumonia (with antibiotics), malaria (with antimalarials), and diarrhoea (with oral rehydration salts and zinc).
World Vision implemented the programme in Niger – known as Niger Integrated Child Health Services, and referred to as NICe/RAcE – across four health districts, targeting children aged 2–59 months.
Objectives
The project focused on the following objectives:
- Increasing the quality and accountability of health services
- Improving access to and availability of essential health services
- Strengthening care-seeking behaviour among caregivers of children with malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia
- Supporting the adoption of effective, gender-sensitive health policies, strategies, and guidelines by the Ministry of Health
Approach
A central component of NICe/RAcE was the use of Community Health Volunteers, known as Relais Communautaires (RComs), to deliver health services in communities located more than 5 km from the nearest integrated health centre.
RComs were trained to assess, classify, and treat uncomplicated cases of pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhoea directly within communities. By extending services typically provided at health facilities – which are often remote, overburdened, and under-resourced – RComs ensured that children could receive fast, convenient, and quality care close to home.
In Niger, the RAcE programme led to a policy shift, and for the first time the RComs started treating sick children. Now, children who live in RAcE supported areas don’t risk death just because they have fallen ill with diarrhoea, malaria, or pneumonia. Niger will work with its partners to implement policies and secure the necessary funding so we can keep the momentum and continue saving children’s lives.
Dr Mahamdou Idrissa Maiga, Secretary General, Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Niger
Research and innovation
NICe/RAcE also conducted research in two regions of Niger to assess the use of mobile technology in improving RCom service delivery. Findings showed a modest but positive improvement in the quality of care provided to sick children.
Voices from the community
Aissa Seyni, a mother of five, described the presence of an RCom in her remote village as life-saving, noting that it previously took an entire day to reach the nearest health centre.
Moussa Hassane, a father of four, left his work as a merchant to serve as an RCom in his rural farming community. He shared:
My delight is to see that sick children are treated so they can have a happy life. The project has impacted my life positively to the extent that I now want to pursue a career as a health worker so that I can help my people always.
