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Across parts of West Africa and Southeast Asia, particularly in underserved communities in Nigeria and Cambodia, health inequities remain a growing concern. Many areas still face limited access to quality care, poor health literacy, and systemic barriers that hinder preventive health practices. Public health advocate and researcher, Tonia Anaekwe, is among a new generation of Africans working to close these gaps through community-led solutions. Her initiative, Tonia’s Health Equity Bridges (T-HEB), focuses on empowering local communities to become the first line of response in improving public health outcomes. The organisation combines evidence-based training, psychosocial support, and community mobilisation to strengthen local capacity. Its approach has produced tangible results in communities such as Igbodo in Delta State, where T-HEB trained over 150 community health workers on maternal and child health practices. “Before this training, I didn’t know how important early antenatal visits were, but now I can teach mothers confidently,” said Grace O., one of the participants. Data from the programme showed a 143 per cent rise in collective health knowledge, with average test scores increasing from 35 to 85 per cent. A local clinic director, Dr. Festus Ayangwu, also confirmed the progress. “Thanks to her efforts, our clinic has recorded fewer preventable complications and more residents now seek timely medical advice,” he said. Read Also: PenCom floats PenCare for retirees to access free healthcare services This impactful model has attracted global attention, including a World Bank-funded project in Cambodia to replicate the training framework for community health workers, amplifying its international reach. In the Karu community of Nasarawa State, the impact was also evident. The programme surpassed its initial goal by training 48 Community Health Educators, who later reached over 5,000 households. Data from a partner clinic in the area showed a 22 per cent increase in patient visits for preventive services such as immunisation and antenatal care. Tonia’s model also prioritises sustainability through partnerships and replication. The Society for Family Health (SFH) recently invited her organisation to lead an intervention in Gwagwa, Abuja, citing T-HEB’s “proven expertise in delivering community health training for vulnerable populations.” That collaboration trained 70 participants, raising their average knowledge scores from 35 to 91 per cent. A participant from Gwagwa, Amina Yusuf, described the training as transformational. “Ms. Tonia helped us see how local barriers affect people’s ability to seek care. Her visit was more than a lecture; it changed how we approach our work,” she said. Beyond community projects, Tonia has also worked on broader policy engagement. While at the Society for Family Health, she contributed to expanding female condom access in rural areas and built partnerships with over 50 stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Her work aligns with international efforts such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Speaking about her long-term vision, she said, “Equity is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Our goal is to build resilient communities by equipping people with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their own health.” Through Tonia’s Health Equity Bridges, she continues to create a data-backed framework for health empowerment that transforms beneficiaries into advocates. Her work is gradually shaping a new model for community-driven health systems across Africa and beyond.
