EU-SARAH Initiative Targets 896,000 Children, 280,000 Women in Adamawa

YOLA —By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola

The European Union-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) initiative has commenced a four-year intervention aimed at improving maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health outcomes in Adamawa State, with a projected reach of about 896,000 children and 280,000 pregnant and lactating women.

The programme, implemented in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund and United Nations Population Fund in partnership with state authorities, also targets thousands of adolescents through community-based health and education platforms.

Briefing journalists in Yola, Health Officer of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Oluseyi Olosunde, said Adamawa is among three beneficiary states—alongside Sokoto State and Kwara State—collectively referred to as the SAK states.

He explained that the initiative is designed as a sustainable intervention rather than a short-term project, with the aim of strengthening skilled birth attendance, improving maternal care, and reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

According to him, UNICEF, through the EU-SARAH programme, has facilitated the engagement of 336 nurses and midwives to expand access to antenatal and reproductive health services, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Olosunde noted that participating states have committed to sustaining the programme beyond the funding cycle to ensure long-term improvements in health outcomes.

He said the intervention is expected to benefit about 896,000 children under five in Adamawa State over the four-year period, alongside nearly 280,000 pregnant and lactating women who will receive improved maternal healthcare services.

Highlighting progress so far, he disclosed that 40 “Mama-to-Mama” support groups and “Fathers for Good Health” groups have been established across the state’s 226 wards to strengthen community participation in healthcare delivery. Capacity-building programmes for frontline health workers have also been conducted to improve service delivery.

The initiative also places strong emphasis on adolescent health, an area Olosunde said has historically received limited attention despite its importance to long-term social and economic development.

He expressed concern about health and social risks facing adolescents and said the programme is designed to provide health education, reproductive health information, and life-skills development to young people.

About 75,000 adolescents and young people are expected to be reached annually through targeted community platforms.

Olosunde stressed that reducing maternal and neonatal mortality requires ensuring access to quality antenatal care and skilled birth attendants during delivery, describing such services as essential to improving survival outcomes for mothers and newborns.

He added that the EU-SARAH initiative is expected to strengthen healthcare delivery systems in Adamawa State and contribute to healthier communities, noting that prevention remains more cost-effective than treatment.