TAConnect hosted key stakeholders from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Gates Foundation, and implementing partners under the Strategy Support Team (SST) platform for the May edition of the monthly coordination meeting in Abuja. The meeting provided an important opportunity for partners to review progress on the transition of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) interventions under the TEAM OB/NEO initiative, address implementation challenges, and strengthen collaboration around data reporting and program planning.
Held at the TAConnect Conference Room, the meeting brought together Gates Foundation consortium partners and technical stakeholders to assess ongoing transition activities, review lessons from the first quarter workshop, and align on critical issues relating to facility selection and denominator harmonization for program implementation and reporting.
A major highlight of the meeting was the review of progress on the transition of Gates Foundation-supported interventions from the Africa Center of Excellence for Population Health and Policy (ACEPHAP) to consortium partners across several states.
The meeting also provided updates on ongoing nursing and midwifery capacity-building initiatives. Partners shared progress on simulation-based training programmes conducted across multiple states to strengthen the competencies of healthcare workers and educators. These efforts are expected to contribute to improved quality of maternal and newborn health services through enhanced clinical skills and knowledge transfer to frontline health workers.
One of the most significant discussions focused on data reporting and indicator harmonization. Partners acknowledged challenges arising from the use of different definitions and reporting approaches for similar indicators, making aggregation and comparison of program results difficult across implementing organizations.
The discussion underscored the importance of establishing a common framework for data management and reporting. Participants emphasized the need for a comprehensive data dictionary that clearly defines indicators, outlines calculation methods, and identifies approved reporting sources. There was also consensus on the need for stronger source verification processes and standardized reporting templates to improve consistency, transparency, and data quality across all partner activities.
Speaking during the discussions, stakeholders stressed that effective measurement requires not only agreement on what should be measured but also clarity on where data should be sourced. This shared commitment to data quality and accountability reflects the broader goal of strengthening evidence-based decision-making across the programme.
The meeting concluded with agreement on several next steps, including the completion of close-out activities in transitioning states, continued harmonization of reporting systems, follow-up engagements with Monitoring and Evaluation focal persons, and preparation for upcoming state-level implementation activities.
By hosting the monthly coordination meeting, TAConnect reinforced its commitment to fostering collaboration, strengthening accountability, and supporting the successful transition and sustainability of critical maternal, newborn, and child health interventions across Nigeria. The discussions and decisions reached during the meeting provide a strong foundation for improved coordination, more consistent reporting, and effective implementation as partners move into the next phase of programme delivery.
