The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced a joint health project to strengthen reproductive health and reduce mortality rates in three states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project tagged “Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) in Nigeria” is funded by the European Union (EU).
This multidisciplinary program focuses on reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health, as well as adolescent health and wellness issues in the three northern states of Adamawa, Kwara and Sokoto.
Speaking at a two-day project launch workshop on Monday, the Sokoto State Health Commissioner, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, said the project was a landmark initiative towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Ta.
Related article: 5 things you need to know about Wanny Danbaki, no one is letting their guard down The last woman standing
Balarabe said the four-year program showcases good implementation strategies and demonstrates its sustainability as partners provide technical support to strengthen instructors’ teaching capabilities.
UNFPA Program Officer, Ms. Gloria Nuaze, said the project was to contribute to sustainable demographic transition and support the achievement of UHC.
Nuaze explained that the project was designed to support gender- and youth-responsive integrated sexual, reproductive, maternal and child health.
He also said he would strengthen policy coherence and improve accountability frameworks through effective policies at the federal and state levels.
“This project will strengthen the capacity of national and subnational institutions for evidence-based policy, planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring of gender- and youth-responsive health services.
“This includes Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
“Another area is gender-based violence (GBV), to ensure equitable access and use of high-quality gender-sensitive services and high-impact youth-sensitive services.” Nuaze said.
Dr Shamina Sharmin, Director of Health, UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, said in her presentation that the project will involve ministries and departments as active players in improving the capacity of health care providers and the capacity of medical equipment. He also stated that it is a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach.
Related article: Lagos Assembly suspends Alimosho LG chairman indefinitely
Sharmin said the initiative will address indicators of poor performance on antenatal care, skilled midwife services during childbirth, psychosocial care, adolescent pregnancy, health care, etc.
“The goal is to promote comprehensive health care that reverses poor metrics with optimal performance across the state,” she said.
In his address, Dr Larai Tambuwal, Executive Director, Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), said statistics on maternal and child mortality in Sokoto state were “unreasonable” and not encouraging.
Mr. Tambuwal expressed optimism that the project would definitely fill the need for food, clothing, and shelter, acknowledging the investment in the state by the EU, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund, and asserting the government’s commitment to health care delivery.
He said the initiative includes programs for maternal, newborn and child health, as well as youth health, which is at a critical stage of health care needs.
“Sokoto State has suboptimal health care, with only 34 per cent of women in the workforce accessing midwifery services and many women dying from complications during childbirth.
Related article: Group knocks out Hubala, Rivers LG says polls are a waste of taxpayers’ money
“While many children die before 28 days of age, we are recording stillbirths and VVF cases.”
She said the project will involve youth between the ages of 10 and 19 and help them solve their challenges.
He explained that the health sector is one of the nine-point agenda of the current administration in Sokoto State, with maternal and child health being prioritized.
He added that previously there was no budgetary allowance for reproductive health in the state’s annual budget, but the current administration has ensured that reproductive health is broadly included in the 2024 budget and implementation strategy.
