The COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, at its outset, significantly impacted Breakthrough ACTION’s maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programming. Community-level activities abruptly ceased, and during the first eight to nine months of the pandemic, MNCH home visits and community and compound dialogue meetings reached fewer people. People also sought care at health facilities less often due to fear of COVID-19 infection. Women attended antenatal care visits less frequently and chose to see traditional birth attendants instead.
This case study describes how Breakthrough ACTION worked with government partners to adapt both programming and SBC messages for MNCH in response to challenges posed by the pandemic. It also outlines key lessons learned during the adaptation process.
