EU-SARAH, Adamawa target over 1.1m women, children in major health initiative

The European Union-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme is set to improve the health and wellbeing of more than 1.1 million women and children in Adamawa State through a comprehensive four-year intervention focused on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.

Speaking during a press briefing in Yola, Oluseyi Olosunde,the Health Officer of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Officer, said Adamawa is among three states selected to benefit from the initiative, alongside Sokoto and Kwara States, collectively known as the SAK States.

Olosunde explained that the programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with participating state governments, was designed as a sustainable intervention aimed at delivering long-term improvements in healthcare services and outcomes.

According to him, about 896,000 children under the age of five in Adamawa are expected to benefit from essential healthcare services under the programme, while nearly 280,000 pregnant and lactating women will receive quality maternal healthcare support to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

He noted that the initiative places strong emphasis on strengthening community participation in healthcare delivery. As part of this effort, 40 “Mama-to-Mama” support groups and “Fathers for Good Health” groups have been established and trained across the state’s 226 wards.

The UNICEF official disclosed that the programme has also supported the engagement of 336 nurses and midwives to expand access to antenatal, reproductive and child health services, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities across the state.

He added that capacity-building programmes have been organised for frontline healthcare workers to enhance service delivery, improve community engagement and increase access to essential health interventions.

Olosunde said one of the programme’s major objectives is to address the persistent challenge of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality while closing critical gaps in adolescent health services.

He observed that adolescent reproductive health has often received limited attention despite its importance to the future wellbeing and productivity of communities.

To address this challenge, he said the programme will provide health education, reproductive health information and life-skills training for young people. About 75,000 adolescents and youths are expected to be reached annually through community-based platforms and targeted engagement programmes.

He stressed that improving maternal and newborn health requires ensuring that every pregnant woman has access to quality antenatal care and skilled birth attendants during delivery. He also underscored the importance of preventive healthcare, noting that early intervention and health awareness are more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after they occur.

Olosunde expressed optimism that by prioritising prevention, quality healthcare and community engagement, the EU-SARAH initiative will strengthen healthcare delivery in Adamawa State and contribute to healthier families, stronger communities and improved quality of life for future generations.