ISSN: 2578-5001
Authors: Bennett Urama*, Nkiru Anonyuo, Anthonia Ibeme, Blessing Owoicho, Chinedu Obi, Uzoma Atu, Nwakaego Chukwukaodinaka, Adenike Adelanwa and Babatunji Odelola
Introduction/Objectives: Managing the expectations and interest of the stakeholders’ is key to the success of new drug/regimen introduction and transition. This is because stakeholders are often heterogeneous and diverse, with different levels of interest. Therefore, categorizing stakeholders at the commencement of the process, identifying and managing their expectations and needs will contribute to the creation of a right atmosphere and be catalyst for success of the implementation. This can be attained through the creation of timely and appropriate communication that meets the needs of stakeholders. The objective of this paper is to describe the strategies and activities implemented during TLD transition and to show how engagement with stakeholders contributed to the success of the process. Methodology: Following the adoption of national TLD transition plan and communication messages, stakeholders were identified and mapped by performing a stakeholder analysis. State level dissemination meeting was designed and implemented across all states. A monitoring tool was developed and operationalized to improve visibility in the process. Sites visits was designed and implemented across select states to assess uptake and reasons for deviations from the transition plan. Results: A total of twenty (20) Federal Ministry of Health staff, fifty (50) staff of technical and treatment partners and two thousand four hundred and eighty-three (2,483) healthcare workers (HCW) from one thousand and ninety (1,090) antiretroviral treatment sites across thirty-six (36) and FCT were reached during the dissemination meetings and were adequately trained prior to transition commencement. 12,000 jobs aids and 800,000 Information Education and Communication materials were distributed to health facilities to assist HCW improve their knowledge on the use of TLD. Enhanced mentorship and on-the-job training were provided to not less than 462 healthcare workers during the Integrated National Monitoring and Supportive Visits (INMSV). Conclusion: Engagement of and communication with broad range of stakeholders during the transition process was key to the success of TLD transition as it allowed large numbers of stakeholders at the national, state and health facility level to be reached with relevant information about the transition. This paper describes engagement activities and other practices that facilitated TLD introduction and transition in Nigeria.
Keywords: Stakeholder; Engagement; Integrated Monitoring and Supportive Visits; Dissemination Meeting; TLD Transition; Management
