By Uzairu Dauda:
As public health leaders, policymakers, researchers and advocates prepare to converge on Cape Town for the 18th World Congress on Public Health, taking place from September 6–9, 2026, the SARMAAN programme is highlighting its impact on child survival and public health outcomes across northern Nigeria.
In a press statement issued by Saldrey Communication Limited on behalf of the SARMAAN Project, Mololuwa Akinwalehinmi said the programme has reached more than 16 million children across 11 states in northern Nigeria.
According to the statement, the achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when evidence-based interventions, strong government leadership, community engagement and rigorous safety monitoring are brought together around a common child-survival goal.
“Across 11 states in northern Nigeria, SARMAAN has reached more than 16 million children, offering a compelling case study in what is possible when evidence, government leadership, community engagement and rigorous safety monitoring come together around a shared child-survival goal, the release said.
The programme’s experience, he noted, provides important lessons for strengthening health systems and expanding equitable access to life-saving interventions, particularly among children and communities that face persistent barriers to essential healthcare.
The SARMAAN story also comes at a time when the global public health community is placing renewed emphasis on equity, inclusion and sustainability, key themes expected to feature prominently at this year’s World Congress on Public Health in Cape Town.
By bringing together evidence, policy, implementation and community participation, SARMAAN offers a practical example of how large-scale public health programmes can be designed and delivered to reach vulnerable populations while maintaining a strong focus on safety and accountability.
As stakeholders gather in Cape Town, the programme’s experience from northern Nigeria is expected to contribute to wider conversations on how governments, researchers, communities and development partners can work together to accelerate progress towards better child health outcomes and a more equitable future for all.