Big Sister Model Launched to Bridge Gap Between Communities and Health Services in Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

In a move to reduce maternal mortality and enhance adolescent sexual and reproductive health, the Benue State Government has rolled out the Big Sister Mentorship Training under the Access to Comprehensive Care and Essential Support Services (ACCESS) Programme.

The initiative is being implemented through a consortium of development partners, including WCAHealth, Solina, and Ipas, with a focus on empowering communities through education, mentorship, and stronger connections to health services.
Targeting adolescent girls and young women, the programme addresses ongoing concerns around preventable maternal deaths caused by unsafe abortions, teenage pregnancies, and inadequate access to reproductive health information.
Speaking at the Big Sisters Training on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and referral linkage services in Gwer-West and Okpokwu Local Government Areas, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, described the initiative as a strategic, community-based intervention aimed at reinforcing grassroots health systems.
He explained that the training is designed to equip selected “Big Sisters” with the knowledge, practical skills, and leadership abilities needed to function as peer educators, mentors, and community health mobilizers.
According to him, participants will receive training in adolescent sexual and reproductive health, family planning, maternal and newborn care, nutrition, hygiene, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, as well as early detection and referral of reproductive health complications.
He further noted that the programme aims to close the gap between communities and health facilities by building effective referral systems and promoting early health-seeking behaviour among young people.
The initiative aligns with the Benue State Government’s broader goals of revitalizing primary healthcare, expanding access to RMNCAH services, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
In partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, and State Ministries of Health, the Big Sister Mentorship Training was launched simultaneously in Benue, Enugu, and Taraba States as a key component of the ACCESS Programme.
A total of 60 Big Sisters—20 from each participating state—are currently being trained and will be deployed to their respective wards to mentor adolescent girls referred to as “Little Sisters.” Through this structure, community women will provide accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, support referrals to adolescent-friendly primary healthcare facilities, and work to reduce stigma associated with adolescent health-seeking behaviour.
Dr. Ogwuche emphasized that Benue State is honored to be part of the national initiative, noting that cultural, social, and geographical barriers often hinder adolescents from accessing healthcare services. He added that the Big Sister model tackles these challenges by investing in trusted community women who can positively influence health decisions within households and communities.
The ACCESS Programme is a Federal Government initiative focused on expanding access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and lowering maternal mortality, particularly among adolescents and young people. WCAHealth serves as the technical implementation partner for community engagement and demand-generation activities, working closely with the Benue State Government to ensure effective delivery.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services reaffirmed its commitment to creating an enabling environment for partners, strengthening health facilities, and supporting community-driven innovations that improve health data, outcomes, and service uptake across the state.
The Commissioner also encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and share their knowledge within their communities, expressing confidence that the programme will boost awareness, promote better health-seeking behaviour, and strengthen linkages between communities and healthcare facilities in Gwer-West, Okpokwu, and beyond.