It was a typical yet astonishing scene in Wandi village in northeastern Nigeria: a traditional barber known as a wanzam ceremonially shaved Abubakar Nafisatu’s hair on his seventh day of life, as is the custom there. Then the barber did something not so customary: He stressed to Abukabar’s mother the importance of routine immunization.

Simple though it may seem, I see the wanzam’s offer of medical advice as a marvel of innovation. Let me explain: This scene played out in an area where only 13 percent of children are immunized against diseases like polio, tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria by their first birthday. Capitalizing on the influence that traditional barbers have with the families they work with makes sense, especially when the local health system is weak and the rumor mill is rife with claims that immunization causes sterility.

The innovation in this case is not a high-tech invention, an attention-grabbing device, or a revolutionary gadget. It began with public health activists asking: How can we transform everyday practices into lifesaving revolutions? How can we disrupt the status quo and generate positive health outcomes faster, better, more affordably and sustainably?

… continue reading ‘Rethinking Innovation in Maternal and Child Health in Africa: Five Case Studies’

Image via Flickr License Some rights reserved by CDC G

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