The EU-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme will deliver maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services to over 1.1 million people in Adamawa State over four years. Adamawa is one of three states selected for the initiative, alongside Sokoto and Kwara, under a partnership between the European Union, UNICEF and state governments. Oluseyi Olosunde, UNICEF's Bauchi Field Office Health Officer, disclosed the details at a press briefing in Yola.
Approximately 896,000 children under five in Adamawa will access essential healthcare services, while nearly 280,000 pregnant and lactating women will receive improved maternal health support. The programme aims to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths by expanding access to antenatal care and skilled birth attendants. To strengthen community involvement, 40 "Mama-to-Mama" support groups and "Fathers for Good Health" groups have been established across the state's 226 wards.
A total of 336 nurses and midwives have been engaged to extend services to underserved and hard-to-reach areas. Frontline health workers have also undergone capacity-building training to improve service delivery and community engagement. The initiative places special focus on adolescent health, a sector Olosunde noted has received limited attention despite its long-term impact. Each year, about 75,000 adolescents and youths are expected to receive reproductive health education, life-skills training and health information through community platforms.
Olosunde emphasized that preventive healthcare is more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after onset. The programme's long-term goal is to create sustainable improvements in healthcare access and outcomes. He expressed confidence that the combination of quality care, prevention and community participation will lead to healthier families and stronger communities in Adamawa.
Oluseyi Olosunde highlights adolescent reproductive health as historically neglected, yet the programme only reaches 75,000 youths annually in a state where millions are affected. With 896,000 children and 280,000 women targeted, the staffing of 336 nurses and midwives suggests a heavy workload across 226 wards. Community groups like "Mama-to-Mama" and "Fathers for Good Health" are active, but their scale may limit impact in rural areas. If prevention is truly prioritized, the real test will be whether these services remain accessible after the four-year funding ends.
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