Emmanuel kehinde,Ilorin
The Kwara Government has put in place health facilities and services geared towards optimal health and development of adolescent and young people in the state.
Dr Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency stated this on Monday in Ilorin during a news conference organized in commemoration of 2023 International Adolescent Health Week.
The 2023 theme of the International Adolescent Health Week is titled: “With and for Adolescents; Building a Healthier and more Inclusive Future”.
She stated that the state government will ensure adolescent have access to these health facilities that are youth friendly.
According to her, young people between the ages of 10 and 24 years constitute about a third of Nigeria’s populations, which is a major force in the country’s development.
She observed that this is a unique stage of human capital development and an important time for laying the foundation for so many attributes in life.
“The optimal health and development of adolescent and young people is therefore critical in achieving the sustainable development goals.
“As a result, the adolescent health has attracted significant attention from government and partners globally,” she said.
Elelu explained that the international communities annually commemorate the International Adolescents Health Week to inspire the youths and their communities to advocate for a successful transition into adulthood.
She pointed out that during the week attention to various issues affecting the health and development of adolescent will be discussed.
She listed such salient discuss, to include gender base violence, mental health, sexually transmitted infections, early marriage, unplanned pregnancy and HIV/AIDs.
The executive secretary noted that the state government will continuously sensitise and create awareness in order to improve adolescents health and development.
Also speaking, Dr Michael Oguntoye, the Director of the Agency noted that the state government has strengthened capacity to ensure youth have access to prompt and effective services.
He explained that health workers have also built-on, and improved their capacity to be able to help the youth overcome the challenges they face including rape victims.
According to him, it’s not easy to get the youth to open up about their challenges, and the trauma they face.
He however observed, that with the availability of youth friendly health facilities and professionals, they can get the required help needed.
Mrs Elizabeth Gabi, the Coordinator of the Maternal Neonatal Child Health Care commended the government commitments towards the welfare of adolescent in the state.
