Kwara State Government has commenced registration and data capturing for 100 full scholarship beneficiaries admitted into the Community Midwifery Programme at the Kwara State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin, under the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive Health (EU SARAH) Initiative.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, who visited the college on Wednesday during the exercise, noted that the programme, fully sponsored by the EU SARAH, is designed to bridge critical gaps in the state's health workforce.

She explained that the initiative will equip trainees with the requisite skills to provide essential maternal and child healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities across the state.

The beneficiaries, drawn from various Local Government Areas through a transparent selection process, will undergo a two-year Community Midwifery training programme. Upon completion, they are expected to serve in their respective communities, contributing to improved health outcomes at the grassroots.

Dr. El-Imam also inspected key facilities, including classrooms, hostel accommodations, and other learning environments, to ensure they meet required standards for effective training and student welfare.

She commended the Kwara State Government under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its sustained commitment to strengthening the health sector, and appreciated the European Union SARAH Initiative for its continued support in building a resilient and responsive healthcare workforce.

The Commissioner further reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships and sustained investments in human resource development within the health sector.

Speaking, the Provost of the Kwara State College of Nursing, Hajia Yusuf Iyabo, lauded the Kwara State Government and the EU SARAH for the initiative, which she described as the first in the history of the school.

The Provost therefore promised that the students will be thoroughly monitored and trained in order to ensure impactful health outcomes for the safety of pregnant women and newborns.