Benue adopts ‘Big Sister’ strategy to improve reproductive health, cut naternal deaths

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Government has stepped up efforts to address maternal mortality and poor adolescent health outcomes with the introduction of the Big Sister Mentorship Programme under the Access to Comprehensive Care and Essential Support Services (ACCESS) initiative.

The programme, implemented by a consortium of partners including WCAHealth, Solina, and Ipas, focuses on empowering adolescent girls and young women through mentorship, health education, and improved access to reproductive health services.

Declaring the training open in Gwer-West and Okpokwu Local Government Areas, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, said the initiative represents a practical solution to long-standing barriers affecting young people’s access to care.

“This programme is designed to take health information and services closer to the people by using trusted community members to drive change,” Ogwuche stated.

He explained that selected participants, known as “Big Sisters,” would be equipped with skills to mentor younger girls and promote healthy behaviours within their communities.

“They will serve as peer educators and advocates, guiding adolescent girls on issues such as sexual and reproductive health, family planning, maternal care, nutrition, hygiene, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections,” he said.

The commissioner added that the initiative would also strengthen referral systems, ensuring that young people who need care are promptly linked to appropriate health facilities.

According to him, the programme is in line with the state’s commitment to revitalising primary healthcare and achieving key global targets, including improved health outcomes and gender equality.

The mentorship scheme is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office. It is simultaneously being rolled out in Benue, Enugu, and Taraba States.

Under the initiative, 60 women—20 from each state—are being trained to mentor adolescent girls, referred to as “Little Sisters.” The mentors are expected to provide accurate health information, support behaviour change, and encourage the use of adolescent-friendly health services.

Ogwuche noted that socio-cultural and geographic challenges have continued to limit access to healthcare for many adolescents, stressing that the mentorship approach is tailored to overcome these barriers.

“The Big Sister model recognises the influence of community women and uses that trust to promote better health decisions at the household level,” he said.

The ACCESS Programme, a Federal Government-backed initiative, aims to expand access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for adolescents and young people. WCAHealth is leading community engagement efforts to drive demand and ensure effective service delivery.

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services reiterated its readiness to support partners and strengthen systems that will improve service delivery and health outcomes across the state.

Participants at the training were encouraged to take the programme seriously and extend the knowledge gained to others in their communities.

The launch ended on a hopeful note, with stakeholders expressing confidence that the initiative will enhance awareness, improve access to care, and contribute to a healthier future for women and girls in Benue State.