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The Federal Government has charged Sokoto, Adamawa and Kwara States, to ensure productive implementation of the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health, EU SARAH programme for improved maternal, child and adolescent health.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate gave the charge at the opening of a Two day National Steering Committee Meeting on EU SARAH programme, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Professor Pate represented by the Director of Gender, Adolescent, Social Health and Early Division, Dr John Ovuorare, emphasized that EU SARAH is pivotal to improving the country’s health indices.
He pointed out that the mandate to improve health governance, population health outcomes, unlock values chain to bring about local production of health commodities and security, necessitated the sector wide approach and the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction Innovation Initiative, Mami.
“We don’t necessary have to do things in silo anymore, partners and government inclusive. National and sub national, all of us, coming together in one basket in other to make sure we spend in such a way that is prudent and conduct and carryout activities in a prudent manner. Such that it os where we actually have the gaps that resources will be deployed.”
The Minister however, commended Kwara on the implementation of the programme so far and urged them to build on the success recorded.
In a keynote address, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, noted that reproductive and adolescent health are cornerstone of public health and play major role in the overall wellbeing of communities.
“In Kwara State, we have made significant progress in improving maternal and child health outcomes. Kwara state made significant progress in the Under-5 Mortality reduction, from 74 per 1000 live births in 2018 to 14 per 1000 live births in 2023. The decrease in Kwara Under-5 mortality and maternal mortality signals successful outcomes from the interventions by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq.”
Dr El-Imam emphasized the need to shatter barriers which hinder women and adolescents from accessing essential reproductive health services.
“I am delighted to inform you that the EU-SARAH project aligns perfectly with government commitment to improving the health and well-being of Kwarans, most especially women, girls and children. This project has supported our efforts in improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly for our girls, women and children.”
She applauded the Federal Ministry of Health, EU, UNICEF and UNFPA for being worthy partners in efforts to enhance healthcare services in Kwara State.
The European Union representative, Dr Anthony Anyeke, who joined the meeting virtually, affirmed that Nigeria remains central to EU’s development policies and that the SARAH programme is a launch towards actualisation of other projects.
Similarly, the UNICEF representative, Dr Fatima Gohar commended both the Federal and States Government for working towards sustainability of the programme.
The Speaker, Kwara State Children Parliament, Faoziat Alaya who expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, implementing States, and donor agencies for making adolescents the core of the EU SARAH, called for more platforms that strengthens adolescent’s rights.
There were goodwill messages from United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA; Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; Representatives of Adamawa and Sokoto States Commissioners for Health,/; and other stakeholders.
The European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health EU SARAH programme was launched in Kwara State on January 16th, 2025.
By Rasheedat Iliyas
