Pregnant women in Kano State’s Ghari Local Government Area are learning to identify pregnancy danger signs through the Furanni program. This community-based initiative, organized by Nigeria Health Watch and the Five Cowries Art Education Initiative, uses art-based learning to teach women about the importance of antenatal care and timely referrals to health facilities.
The program, held on August 23, 2026, aims to equip women with practical knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and that of their babies. Amina Mukhtar Umar, a participant, shared how the lessons have influenced her response to health concerns in her community. She recounted encouraging a pregnant woman to attend antenatal care and advising a mother to seek medical attention for her child’s fever instead of relying on herbs.
Hajara Yunus, the Furanni hub facilitator, emphasized the session’s focus on understanding prolonged labor, its causes, and the need for prompt medical assistance. She highlighted factors like a baby’s position, size, and inadequate antenatal monitoring as potential contributors to complications. Regular antenatal care visits, Hajara noted, help health workers identify risks and plan appropriate care.
The Furanni program’s approach is in line with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which prioritizes stronger primary healthcare, community engagement, and equitable access to quality health services. To translate community knowledge into safer deliveries, policymakers and stakeholders should prioritise strengthening emergency referral systems and improve transportation; ensure health facilities have the skilled personnel and equipment needed to manage obstetric complications; and community organisations and residents should continue support efforts to improve access to maternal healthcare.
According to Amina “women should seek skilled medical care when labour begins and follow health workers’ advice on when to go to a facility, rather than waiting for complications to develop.” Early recognition and timely referral can help protect the lives of mothers and their babies.
