EU-SARAH stakeholders reaffirmed commitment to reducing maternal, child deaths in Nigeria

Government officials, development partners and health experts have renewed their commitment to reducing maternal, newborn and child deaths in Nigeria through stronger collaboration, increased investment and improved healthcare services.

The commitment was made during the fourth National Governance and Coordination Committee (GCC) meeting of the European Union-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive, Maternal and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) Programme held in Yola, Adamawa State.

The two-day meeting was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Government, the Adamawa State Government, UNFPA and funded by the European Union.

Speaking at the meeting, Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by Ahmed Uzzi,the Director of Family Health, and represented at the event by Amina Mohammed, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services across the country.

He said the government was determined to build an equitable health system where no woman, child or adolescent would be left behind.

Pate stressed that stronger partnerships and renewed commitments must lead to measurable improvements, including lower maternal and newborn mortality rates and a better quality of life for Nigerians.

He added that the ministry would continue working with state governments and development partners to strengthen institutional capacity and advance Universal Health Coverage under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Neido Kofulto, described the meeting as timely, noting that governments at all levels were intensifying efforts to tackle the country’s high burden of maternal, newborn and child deaths.

He highlighted investments made under the programme, including improved health infrastructure, recruitment of community nurses and capacity building for health workers, while assuring partners that Adamawa would sustain the programme’s gains beyond its lifespan.

Anthony Ayeke, the national coordinator of EU-SARAH stated that the meeting was important because it brings together federal and state actors to review progress, examine challenges and agree on the next steps and also focuses on results, coordination , accountability as what the society exactly needs.

“EU-SARAH is more than just a project , it is a partnership to strengthen systems and public spaces , community level, primary health care facilities and where it matters”.

He further said, sustainable program in reproductive and Adolescent health depends on strong institutions because it requires that women and girls are placed at the center of planning, service and delivery and financing.

Adding that what matters must is coordinated actions, measurable improvements at all the institutional levels

Mahara Jan Mouthy, UNICEF Chief of Health, called on the Federal Government and state governments to increase domestic funding for health programmes to ensure lasting impact after donor support ends.

While noting that Nigeria still records one of the world’s highest maternal and child mortality rates, he expressed confidence that ongoing interventions and stronger government commitment could significantly reverse the trend.

Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, described adolescent health as a long-neglected area in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

She said the EU-SARAH Programme had helped bridge that gap by expanding services to adolescents alongside maternal and reproductive healthcare.

According to her, Kwara has integrated the initiative into its development plans, expanded health insurance for vulnerable groups and recorded improvements in family planning uptake, child survival and maternal health.

The meeting attracted representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the European Union, UNICEF, UNFPA and beneficiary states of Adamawa, Kwara and Sokoto.