Over 1.1 million women and children in Adamawa State will benefit from a new health programme. The EU-SARAH initiative targets maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health over four years.
Oluseyi Olosunde, UNICEF's Health Officer for Bauchi, unveiled the plan at a press briefing in Yola on Thursday. Adamawa joins Sokoto and Kwara in what officials call the SAK States initiative.
The European Union is funding the programme. UNICEF implements it in partnership with state governments across the three states.
Nearly 896,000 children under five will access essential healthcare services through the scheme. About 280,000 pregnant and nursing mothers will receive quality maternal support to prevent avoidable deaths.
Community involvement stands central to the approach. Officials have established 40 "Mama-to-Mama" support groups and "Fathers for Good Health" groups across Adamawa's 226 wards.
The programme has hired 336 nurses and midwives. These health workers will expand antenatal, reproductive and child health services in underserved areas.
Training programmes for frontline healthcare staff have already begun. They focus on improving service delivery and community engagement across the state.
Addressing maternal and newborn deaths remains urgent. Olosunde noted that too many preventable deaths still occur in Adamawa.
Adolescent reproductive health has been largely neglected. Yet it shapes the future health and productivity of entire communities, he observed.
The initiative will deliver health education and life-skills training to young people. About 75,000 adolescents and youths will be reached annually through community platforms.
Every pregnant woman deserves quality antenatal care and a skilled attendant at delivery. Olosunde stressed this basic requirement repeatedly during the briefing.
Prevention beats treatment. Early intervention and health awareness cost less and work better than managing illnesses after they develop.
Olosunde believes the programme will transform healthcare in Adamawa. By stressing prevention, quality care and community participation, he said, the initiative will create healthier families and stronger communities.
