Equal Health and Rights Access Advocacy Initiative EHRAAI

Equal Health and Rights Access Advocacy Initiative EHRAAI is a youth and key population – led organisation working on harm reduction, research and human rights advocacy in Nigeria. They are a non- profit, non- governmental organisation situated in Lagos and founded in February 2014 with geographical coverage within South-West (Lagos & Oyo) and North Central (Kwara) part of Nigeria.

They make significant strides in hepatitis B and C interventions at the community level in Nigeria.

Here are some of their activities:

• Community Education and Sensitisation: EHRAAI conducts door-to-door campaigns, radio sessions, and community outreach programmes to educate people about hepatitis B and C, their transmission, prevention, and treatment options.
• Free Screening and Vaccination: They offer free hepatitis B screening and vaccination services to community members, particularly targeting pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under five years old.
• Capacity Building: EHRAAI trains community health workers, village health teams, and other stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and skills in hepatitis B and C management and prevention.
• Advocacy and Policy Engagement: They engage with policymakers, healthcare providers, and influencers to advocate for hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, improved healthcare infrastructure, and increased access to testing and treatment services.
• Referral and Linkage: EHRAAI establishes referral networks to connect individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B or C to treatment centres, ensuring they receive proper care and support.
• Research and Data Collection: They conduct research studies to understand the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C in specific communities, informing evidence-based interventions. EHRAAI’s efforts are crucial in reducing the burden of hepatitis B and C in Nigeria. By empowering communities with knowledge, increasing access to screening and vaccination, and advocating for policy changes, they are working towards a hepatitis-free society.