The European Union (EU) has announced plans to expand its support for reproductive and adolescent health services in Kwara State under the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme. The programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to support government efforts to improve adolescent and maternal health.
Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, disclosed this during an assessment visit to health facilities and communities benefiting from the programme in Kwara. De Luca said the success of the programme depended largely on government commitment and leadership, noting that the EU could only provide effective support where the government was willing to lead.
The EU-SARAH programme is being implemented in three states — Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa — with the needs and circumstances differing across the states. De Luca described Kwara as being in a privileged position because of the access the programme has enjoyed at the grassroots, including engagement with volunteers, civil society organisations and communities.
De Luca commended the state government for prioritising health, particularly issues affecting mothers and children, saying the commitment had created a strong synergy between the government and development partners. He also praised UNICEF, UNFPA and other implementing partners for their efforts in reaching adolescents with services covering prenatal and postnatal care, family planning and other reproductive health needs.
The EU official said the programme was particularly important because health challenges among adolescents could affect their education and future lives if not properly addressed. He explained that some adolescents facing health challenges could drop out of school, become vulnerable to difficult circumstances or even lose their lives.
Speaking on the impact of the programme in Kwara, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, described EU-SARAH as a major partnership for the state. El-Imam said the programme had improved the capacity of health workers, increased demand for family planning services and strengthened awareness among communities on reproductive and sexual health.
The programme has brought significant changes to communities, including increased awareness about the importance of using healthcare facilities, particularly for antenatal care and childbirth. Residents who previously relied on home deliveries and traditional health practitioners are increasingly encouraged to seek professional medical care. The EU delegation is already looking at expanding its support for the programme in Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa, in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Key points
- The European Union has announced plans to expand its support for reproductive and adolescent health services in Kwara State under the EU-SARAH programme.
- The programme aims to support government efforts to improve adolescent and maternal health.
- The EU-SARAH programme is being implemented in three states — Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa.
