Stakeholders in Nigeria have agreed that adolescent health is key to Nigeria’s development.
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This was disclosed at the 2022 National and International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW),in Abuja.
The World Health Organization Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, said that there’s the need to renew commitment to the wellbeing of adolescents for a better future.
He said that the commemoration of the week gives the government, partners and other stakeholders the opportunity to improve the health of adolescents in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Chief of Health UNICEF, Dr. Eduardo Celades, said that adolescents need to have a voice in policies and be given the opportunity to be young.
“Young people need to have access to HIV testing and treatment”. Dr. Celades said.
The Nigerian minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says westernization has greatly affected the youths.
He said that there is the need for parents and adolescents to have conversation on how to develop the new generation for the survival of the country.
“The Federal Government remains resolute to ensure access to quality health to Nigerians, particularly the adolescent and young people. Adolescents constitute significant proportions (22%) of the populations of Nigeria. Progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage requires keeping the adolescents healthy by appropriate investment and effective coordination. The National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2018) shows that 19% of teenage girls are mothers and pregnant with their first child, 32% do not attend ANC and 66% delivered without supervision by skilled birth attendants and HIV prevalence of 1.9 million which has high gender disparity among young people. This is compounded with the impact of covid 19 pandemic on our already fragile health system”. Dr. Ehanire said.
He said that the ministry was therefore advocating and making all efforts to strengthen effective coordination of adolescent health programs nationwide.
“To make progress on Universal Health Coverage, Nigeria recognises the need to keep adolescents at the centre of all programmes that are centred around their health and development in line with the vision that “no adolescent or young person is left behind”.
To ensure ‘no adolescent or young person is left behind’ the Ministry will continue to collaborate with all partners and stakeholders at all levels to support specific actions that effectively respond to the needs of different categories of adolescents and young people who are at various levels of vulnerabilities”. He said.
The Minister of State Health, Dr Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, in his remarks said that to grow and develop in good health, adolescents need information, including age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education; opportunities to develop life skills; health services that are acceptable, equitable, appropriate and effective; and safe and supportive environments.
“They also need opportunities to meaningfully participate in the design and delivery of interventions to improve and maintain their health. Plans to expand these opportunities is key to responding to adolescents’ specific needs and rights” Dr. Mamora said.
The Director Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Salma Kolo, said that the celebration was important because it affords Nigeria the opportunity to again inform Nigerians on what the Ministry has done and is doing to achieve the desirable health needs of special people in society.
She said that the week-long commemoration would be filled with activities emphasizing the call to action which highlights adolescent health needs.
The theme of the 2022 National and International Adolescent Health Week (IAHW) is Transitions: Building a case for the visibility of adolescents in Nigeria while transitioning from a pre-pandemic to a life shaped by pandemic.
The week-long participatory event is for stakeholders working in the adolescent health space to redouble efforts towards adolescent health and inclusion.
