The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has commenced a three-day capacity-building training for healthcare providers to address Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) challenges in the state.
The project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UNFPA in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is designed to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and adolescent health issues.
Malam Musa Wamakko, the Implementing Director of UNFPA in the state, at the opening session in Sokoto on Thursday, said the training aimed to strengthen the ability of frontline health workers in handling SRHR-related cases.
Musa said the neglect of SRHR had continued to fuel GBV and adolescent health challenges, which must be properly addressed.
He said there was an urgent need to equip service providers with the necessary tools and guidance to handle issues related to SRHR.
Wamakko expressed optimism that participants would step down the knowledge gained in their respective facilities to ensure wider coverage across the state.
According to him, this will enable stakeholders to capture all health workers linked to GBV, adolescent health, and counseling services.
Also, Dr Tukur Magaji, Director of Community and Family Health Services at the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the training would enhance the management of GBV and adolescent health concerns.
“The training is part of health system strengthening to support our primary healthcare providers who serve as the first point of contact for GBV cases.
“It will improve their knowledge and response to SRHR challenges”, he said.
Wamakko emphasised that GBV victims, being the main targets of the intervention, require timely and quality services whenever they sought help.
“That is why we invited focal persons from the 23 Local Government Areas alongside healthcare providers from various facilities for this training.
“With this, we hope to better meet the needs of this vulnerable category whenever they come to our facilities”, he said.
Magaji stressed that the initiative aligned with the state government’s efforts to improve the quality of healthcare service delivery across the 23 Local Government Areas in the state.