1. MULTI-SECTORAL APPROACH (MSA)- ROLE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Being a Presentation made at the Society for Sickle Cell in Nigeria Conference in Enugu Nigeria on 25th August 2017 by
Alayo Sopekan Y.
(MBBS, MPH, ECP, Ph.D (In-view))
National Desk Officer, SCD.
FMOH, Abuja.
alayo sopekan y.

2. Objectives of the presentation
To understand what a multi-sectoral approach/collaboration is
Explain why there is a need for multi-sectoral collaboration to reduce the prevalence of SCD in Nigeria;
Discuss how to effectively use collaboration to strengthen efforts
Describe different forms of collaboration that are possible for SCD prevention and Control at international, national and local levels and
To understand the role of MSA in the prevention, control and management of SCD
Describe the roles of FMOH in this.
Highlight the way forward on MSA for SCD.
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3. What is Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
Multi-sectoral collaboration refers to deliberate collaboration among various stakeholder groups (e.g., government, civil society, and private sector) and sectors (e.g., health, environment, economy, education) to jointly achieve a policy outcome
Multi-sectoral approach or initiative is a form of governance structure that seeks to bring stakeholders together to participate in the dialogue, decision making, and implementation of solutions to common problems or goals.
In MSA each participating sector is a stakeholder which could be individual, group, or organization that has a direct or indirect interest or stake in a particular organization or issues, these may be businesses, health related, civil society, governmental institutions, educational/research institutions, and non-governmental organizations
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4. Why Multi-Sectoral Approach
By engaging multiple sectors, partners can leverage knowledge, expertise, reach, and resources, benefiting from their combined and varied strengths as they work toward the shared goal of producing better health outcomes.
Public health problems are complex, and in many cases, a single health issue may be influenced by interrelated social, environmental, and economic factors that can best be addressed with a holistic, participatory, multi-sectoral approach
Multi-sectoral approach/initiative encourages multistakeholderism which provides a framework and means of engagement; enhance participation and democracy by increasing opportunities for effective participation by those most directly impacted by decisions and ensure that decisions made are reflective of and responsive to local concerns and to the broadest range of those who must bear the consequences.
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5. Relevance of MSA to Policy Making/Decisions
By leveraging the strengths and varied approaches of partners, effective multi-sectoral coordination can eliminate policy implementation barriers, facilitate scale-up, and increase the impact that one sector or partner might have had alone.
Successful multi-sectoral collaboration/approach is dependent on political, economic, and social factors and requires buy-in and commitment from all parties/stakeholders working together.
Health problem as mentioned earlier has multiple determinants, affects many people and sectors, and as such requires policy action by different sectors with coordination by the key sector. This is to ensure and encourage health in all policy decisions.
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6. What Are the Types of Collaboration that may exist in a Multi-Sectoral Initiative
Different forms of collaboration can be developed.
Collaboration can, for example, be organized around complementary issues at international, regional, national and local levels based on felt needs.
The issues might be research, information sharing, implementation of interventions, policy development, advocacy, support to victims and their families, fund-raising and capacity development. All geared towards achieving a healthy population that are able to contribute to the wealth, wellbeing and prosperity of their nation.
Collaboration can also be formal or informal.
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7. Coordination of Multi-Sectoral Approach/Initiative
For MSA to be efficient and effective there must be a coordinating mechanism in place such that decisions are applied and implemented across the board
Coordination across government ministries, for example, is essential for identifying intersections among the sectors and identifying opportunities for collaborative planning and policy making.
However, in Nigeria, this has not been optimal particularly in the health sector but there is hope, particularly now that the sector has begun to realize the importance and the need to foster and improve multi-sectoral relationship with stakeholders outside health sector.
This therefore pre-supposes that the FMOH has to provide the strong leadership that is require not only to coordinate the approach but to ensure it’s sustainability through innovative strategies.
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8. Components of MSA Coordination
Multisectoral coordination includes being able to:
Promote an internal culture that values and fosters collaboration and sharing
as a key operating principle,
2. Establish systems and structures that garner and facilitate communication,
Assign responsibility for collaboration in job descriptions of relevant stakeholder,
Mobilize funds and resources to allow members participate in partnership activities and events and
5. Routinely monitor and assess the benefits of partnership and its impact on the
core mission, work products, and achievements
With optimal coordination, individuals and organizations develop and sustain strong, supportive relationships with other organizations (or groups, divisions, communities, and institutions working in a variety of technical areas and across sectors).
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9. What Are the Key Capabilities of the Coordinating Agency?
The key capabilities of any coordinating Agency in multi-sectoral coordination include:
(1) Recognizing the value of engaging different sectors and parties in the policy process and leveraging the strengths of each,
(2) Effectively engaging a diverse group of stakeholders and tailoring messages and approaches to increase influence, and
(3) Successfully communicating the shared benefits to each sector (e.g., health, labor, education, agriculture,, works and housing, religious affairs etc) and partner (governmental, nongovernmental, private and civil society) of jointly achieving the targeted health goal.
This requires strong leadership to mobilize diverse stakeholders to action, set an agenda that is responsive to the needs of multiple stakeholder groups, mediate and manage relationships.
A performing coordination ensures that all the stakeholders develop and sustain strong, supportive relationships with other organizations (or groups, divisions, communities, and institutions working in a variety of technical areas and across sectors).
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10. What is in MSA for Sickle Cell Disease?
Effective and efficient Prevention, Control and Management of SCD is multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral.
Multi-sectoral action had been identified as one of the overaching principle in the prevention and control of NCDs which include SCD.
The second objectives of the global action for the control and prevention of NCDs including SCD aim to strengthen national multi-sectoral action and partnerships to accelerate country response for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.
It should be recognized that effective noncommunicable diseases prevention and control require leadership, coordinated multi- stakeholder engagement for health both at government and non-government levels and this also applies to the control and management of SCD
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11. What Are the Roles of the FMOH In MSA?
Provide Leadership in the establishment and strengthening a national multisectoral coordinating initiative/mechanism for prevention and control of NCDs
Develop and implement a national multi-sectoral evidence- based framework and action plan for prevention and control of NCDs including SCD that sets out priorities with timeline and performance indicators,
Coordination of the Initiative
Resource mobilization for the initiative
Monitor and Assess the impacts of the initiative
Generate Evidence and Shared such among the Stakeholders
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12. What Is The Way Forward ?
Collaboration and partnership between FMOH and stakeholders in the fight against SCD in Nigeria
Knowledge and information sharing to inform policy guidance and cost effective interventions.
More engagement of the government by those directly affected by the disease and improved engagement of government by the researchers working in the area of SCD.
There must be closing ranks among various Sickle Cell Diseases associations/foundations to ensure constructive and resourceful engagement of government.

13. If You Have Thank You for your Attention!
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