vThe European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and UNICEF, has launched a €40 million initiative aimed at strengthening access to reproductive and adolescent health services in Nigeria. The program, called the Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) initiative, was officially unveiled on December 11, 2024, in Abuja.
The SARAH program will focus on improving reproductive health outcomes for women and adolescents in the Nigerian states of Sokoto, Adamawa, and Kwara. It aims to address key health challenges by improving data collection, analysis, and healthcare delivery across these regions over the next four years.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed gratitude to the EU for its significant support. Represented by Dr. John Ovuoraye, Director of the Gender, Adolescent, Social Health, and Elderly Division, Prof. Pate emphasized that the program would help tackle pressing health issues in Nigeria, particularly in underserved regions.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the EU’s commitment to improving access to sexual and reproductive health services. He stressed the importance of effective coordination between stakeholders and the promotion of informed decision-making regarding healthcare.
Kwara State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, who spoke on behalf of health officials from Sokoto and Adamawa states, also expressed gratitude, noting the potential for the program to make a significant impact on the lives of women, children, and adolescents across Nigeria.
The program will focus on gender-responsive and adolescent-inclusive healthcare, with efforts to enhance the accessibility and utilization of integrated, high-quality services at the community, local government, and state levels. Both UNFPA and UNICEF representatives praised the initiative for aligning with Nigeria’s broader health goals, with UNICEF’s Cristian Munduate calling it a vital investment in the nation’s future health resilience.
