Health Express Vans: Reaching Women and Girls Where They Are

In Nigeria, accessing basic healthcare, especially for women and girls in remote areas, can be a significant challenge. Many communities are located far from health facilities, and a lack of transport, coupled with shortages of trained health personnel and financial or cultural barriers, means that essential services are often out of reach. This contributes to Nigeria having one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally.

But GIWYN is changing this narrative, one community at a time, with our Health Express Vans.

These are not just vehicles; they are lifelines. Our two mobile health vans travel directly to underserved and hard-to-reach communities, bringing accessible basic healthcare and vital sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) information and services to women and young girls.

What's on board?

• Life-saving services: Each van is equipped with portable diagnostic tools.

• Knowledge is power: We provide comprehensive SRHR educational materials.

• Expert, compassionate care: Our dedicated team includes two trained medical staff and peer educators.

• Safe spaces: We offer confidential counselling and referral services.

  
  

Making a Real Difference

The impact is already clear. We've reached over 20,000 individuals across numerous communities. Women are experiencing reduced travel time and costs to access care they desperately need. We've seen an increased uptake of contraception, empowering women to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. The positive feedback and the trust we're building within these communities are immense. As Adebimpe, a 45-year-old woman from a rural community, shared, "...It is a thing of joy. I will no longer walk for hours to receive health care."

Queeneth, one of our dedicated Health Express Van team members, sees first hand the hope and relief the van brings. "We go to remote communities that have limited health facilities. Before we arrive women are already waiting for us. Each time we go there are more and more women as they tell their neighbours about the free medical services that Giwyn provide."

"We check their blood pressure and sugar levels alongside other primary health checks. Often women we meet have never had these checks before. They often take herbal medicine for pains but never a proper assessment let alone the referrals we give them when they need it."

Why This Matters to You

The Health Express Vans are a testament to what's possible when innovation meets dedication. They represent a mobile, adaptable, and quick-to-deploy solution, especially crucial in emergencies. We've built deep community trust and established strong local partnerships, ensuring our services are welcomed and effective.

This initiative is supported by esteemed partners like Ibis Reproductive Health and Fos Feminista and is recognized by SRHR advocacy networks across sub-Saharan Africa, including the EMPATH Alliance. It aligns directly with Nigeria's Primary Healthcare Revitalization Strategy, making it a vital component of national health goals.

Your support for the Health Express Vans directly translates into:

• Saved lives: Reducing preventable maternal deaths and illnesses.

• Empowered women and girls: Providing them with the knowledge and means to control their reproductive health.

• Stronger communities: Fostering health and well-being from the grassroots up.

  
  

Reach out to us to keep these wheels of change moving. Your support can help us reach even more women and girls, providing them with the essential healthcare they deserve. Together, we can continue to make reproductive choice real for every woman and girl in Nigeria.